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Press Release

Washdyke energy cluster set to grow

Timaru Herald
By Matthew Littlewood on Sat, 4 Feb 2012

Energy For Industry is looking to expand operations at its Washdyke Plant.

The company, a subsidiary of state-owned generator Meridian Energy, wants to add to new boilers commissioned on behalf of New Zealand Light Leathers, Juice Products NZ and DB Mainland Brewery last year.  It has filed consent applications with Environment Canterbury that would allow further companies to join the "energy cluster".

The Consents applications are for the operation of four coat- or wood-fired boilers with a maximum net heat output of 10 megawatts each, or 40MW in total.

EFI business services and marketing manager Mary Drummond said the project had cost about $12 million so far, and it hoped to bring more parties on board.

"One of the benefits of the proposal is that it will allow businesses to improve their emissions." she said. "We're hoping to get more customers on board, as time goes on."

Ms Drummond said EFI hoped the project would lead to incresaed opportunities for industry in Washdyke, and significantly improve local air quality.

The company's consent application noted that changes to the National Environment Standards meant that from 2020, the Timaru district would only be allowed to have one high-pullution night a year, where the particulate matter in the air exceeds 50mcg, or else it could face restrictions to issuing consents for air discharge.

"Contaminants to be discharged are combustion products including sulpher dioxide, but it is proposed to control sulpher dioxide emissions by limiting the sulphur content of the fuel," the document said.

The consent applicaiont is for a 35-year peiod, and submissions close on February 28.