The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has named Fonterra’s Edendale site as the most energy-efficient dairy manufacturing site in New Zealand.
The site has become the first dairy processing facility in the country to be awarded four stars in the EECA One2five ratings.
The ratings measure energy, carbon and sustainability to give businesses a benchmark allowing them to compare themselves with industry peers as well as how they rank nationally.
“Since the Co-operative began its energy efficiency program in 2003, the Edendale site has reduced its energy intensity by 48% ton of product,” says southern operations manager Richard Gray.
“Dairy is an energy intensive business, so this reduction is significant both for Fonterra and for New Zealand.”
“We’re continually challenging our staff to find ways to reduce our energy intensity – every little bit helps and we have more than 20 energy saving programs underway across the site.
“Recent additions have included solar lighting through to new heat recovery technology introduced in last year’s site expansion that captures and recycles the heat from our processes, which eliminated the need for a new boiler,” he says.
These initiatives were recognized at last week’s New Zealand Sustainable Business Network Awards, where the site received a judges’ commendation in the Business Energy Management category.
