Trade delegation powers up West Coast economy

A trade delegation, comprising engineers and executives from Renew Energy Limited and Buller Mayor Garry Howard, will next week meet with Chinese investors and technology experts to progress the energy technology and commercial arrangements.

Having recently secured a site in Westport, Renew Energy Chief executive David McGregor said the project was on track to construct New Zealand’s first energy-from-waste facility.

“We’ve spent the past 24 months assessing energy-from-waste facilities in the United Kingdom, Europe and China. We’ve observed how the entire operation is managed - from collecting municipal waste, processing and transportation of bales through to the thermal treatment of waste into energy.

“The technology we plan to bring to New Zealand is proven. Advanced countries like the USA, UK, France and Germany already have energy-from-waste facilities and our Chinese partners are the world’s best in their design, manufacture, construction, and operation. They see the opportunity in New Zealand and want to capitalise on that.

“The potential economic benefits to the West Coast over the short, mid and long-term are enormous.”

Energy-from-waste facilities use thermal treatment technology where waste is treated thermally with the energy released used to produce heat and electricity. The facilities are odourless and there is no discharge into nearby land and waterways. The emissions are a fraction of what comes from landfills.

New Zealand produces approximately 15.5 million tonnes of waste each year. Only a quarter is recycled, with the rest being landfilled.

The West Coast facility would be built over 2-3 years, employing 300-500 people in its construction. Once established, 50 people will be fully employed to run it.

Mayor Garry Howard said he was looking forward to promoting the West Coast as an exceptional investment opportunity.

“The West Coast’s long-term prosperity for jobs and income levels requires us to pursue initiatives that help make our economy less vulnerable to the international commodity price trap.

“That means diversifying our economy through adding value to the traditional sectors and encouraging development of new industries. We want to build an environment that attracts and retains investment and talent the West Coast. Our resourceful people, abundant resources and stable regulatory environment make the Coast a compelling proposition for international investors.”

Mr McGregor said the company also planned to establish 40ha of horticultural greenhouses, powered entirely by the facility.

“The greenhouses would employ approximately 250 people and provide another income stream for the local economy.

“The West Coast is perfect for an energy from waste facility because of its excellent shipping and rail links to transport the waste. We’ve established good, long-term partnerships with local government, iwi and suppliers and have secured waste transfer agreements with several Councils and waste management companies throughout New Zealand.

“We’re looking forward to breaking ground with the project in the near future.”

Independent modelling, peer reviewed by Price Waterhouse Coopers, found that within 10 years, New Zealand could be diverting 3.2 million tonnes of annual waste into renewable energy. It would generate 2.5 million MWh of energy each year, enough to power 300,000 Kiwi households.

ENDS

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