Edendale’s new electrode boiler delivers 20% emissions reduction for site
Fonterra’s southernmost site, Edendale, has taken a significant step in its decarbonisation journey with the commissioning of the Co-op's first electrode boiler.
The new boiler powered up for the first time recently, marking an important milestone in the Co-op’s work to get out of coal by 2037. Work began on the boiler back in February this year, taking just nine months to complete with over 300 contractors working to complete the build.
The new electrode boiler generates steam using electricity, cutting the Edendale site's annual overall emissions by approximately 20% – equivalent to 47,500 tonnes of CO2e each year or the same as removing around 20,000 cars off New Zealand's roads.
It will also contribute to a nearly 3% reduction in the Co-op’s national overall emissions from its 2018 base line year.
General Manager Operations – Lower South Island, Andrew Johns, is delighted to have the boiler up and running.
“The new electrode boiler is a fantastic addition for the Edendale site and is a real game-changer for our decarbonisation efforts, delivering a significant reduction in our site’s emissions and providing a reliable source of renewable steam energy.
“The successful build of the new boiler is a real credit to everyone involved. It's exciting for Edendale to be the first Fonterra site to have an electrode boiler, marking a significant milestone in our Co-op’s journey towards a more sustainable future.”
The electrode boiler brings new technology to the Co-op, and the Co-op will continue to focus its efforts to get out of fossil fuels as it looks to use a variety of renewable energy sources to ensure sustainability and security of supply.
The new electrode boiler is a fantastic addition for the Edendale site and is a real game-changer for our decarbonisation efforts, delivering a significant reduction in our site’s emissions and providing a reliable source of renewable steam energy.
The Electric Boiler Project was co-funded as part of a previously announced EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) partnership. The partnership agreement includes the Co-op achieving approximately 1.2 million tonnes of CO2e cumulative reductions from its coal reduction activities this decade, and the Co-op lifted its 2030 target from a 30% to a 50% absolute reduction by 2030.
Supporting the Co-op's overall decarbonisation goals
The Co-op is committed to reducing its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50.4% by 2030, using a 2018 baseline. The majority of these emissions stem from manufacturing and supply chain operations. These targets were validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) in July 2024.
Further details on the Co-op’s work to reduce emissions associated with manufacturing:
- Hautapu boiler conversion: The conversion from coal to wood pellets is now completed, with an expected annual emissions reduction of ~12,000 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 6,500 cars off New Zealand roads.
- Stirling biomass boiler: Stirling's now completed wood biomass boiler has reduced annual carbon emissions by ~18,500 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 7,700 cars off New Zealand roads – and is the Co-op's first site running on 100% renewable thermal energy.
- Waitoa wood biomass boiler: The new boiler at Waitoa has halved coal usage, cutting emissions by at least 46,000 tonnes annually – the equivalent of removing around 20,000 cars off New Zealand roads.
- Whareroa heat pumps: Installation of New Zealand’s largest heat pumps as part of a refrigeration upgrade, decreasing carbon emissions by ~9,100 tonnes annually – the equivalent of removing around 3,800 cars off New Zealand roads.
- Clandeboye heat recovery project: The new heat recovery system in the Lactose plant aims to decrease carbon emissions by ~3,000 tonnes annually – the equivalent of removing around 1,250 cars off New Zealand roads.
- Te Awamutu boiler conversion: Converted the 43MW coal boiler to use wood pellets, reducing coal use and emissions by ~84,000 tonnes – the equivalent of removing around 35,000 cars off New Zealand roads.
- Brightwater biomass boiler switch: Moved to co-firing wood biomass, reducing overall site CO2e emissions by ~2,400 tonnes annually – the equivalent of removing around 530 cars off New Zealand roads.