6 April 2016

Renewable Energy Project Up For Award

Turning methane gas into electricity makes good environmental sense and could also prove to be a winner for the Hastings District Council and Pioneer Energy.

The Omarunui Landfill, owned by the Hastings District Council and the Napier City Council, is the site of a plant which generates electricity from the methane, which is a by-product of burying rubbish in a landfill. The resulting electricity is sold back into the grid, helping to secure the region’s supply.

The gas to electricity initiative, a partnership between Hastings District Council and Pioneer Energy, has been named a finalist in the Renewable Energy category in this year's EECA Awards.

The awards celebrate excellence in innovation in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Without the conversion to electricity, the methane would be ‘flared’ off as a waste product.

Omarunui Joint Refuse Landfill Committee chairman and Hastings District councillor Wayne Bradshaw, says the committee is determined to be “future-focused, especially around green energy generation wherever possible at the landfill site – and this is a perfect example”.

“We had the option of flaring off the gas, or making best use of it. Our committee is pretty progressive and was keen to look at solutions that meant the gas was no longer a waste product.”

Pioneer chief executive Fraser Jonker says making the finals is “particularly special”.

“It proves Pioneer Energy's vision of working with customers and investment partners who are looking for local renewable energy supply, lower carbon solutions and cost savings through better energy efficiency.

“Over recent years we have put a large amount of effort into being at the forefront of customer, and particularly community based, energy solutions and the Omarunui partnership is evidence of just how well this can be achieved when those involved have both a shared objective and community values.”

The winners of the 10 awards will be announced on May 18. See: www.eeca.govt.nz

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