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Genesis committed to biomass at Huntly Power Station

The company supports biomass as vital to NZ's net-zero 2050 goal, requiring 300,000 tonnes annually by FY28 for Huntly, emphasizing domestic supply and international scaling.

  www.genesisenergy.co.nz
Genesis committed to biomass at Huntly Power Station

Genesis welcomes recognition in the latest Emissions Reduction Plan of the potential for biomass to play an important role in New Zealand’s energy fuel mix as the country progresses toward net zero 2050.

Biomass is a key part of Genesis’ Gen35 strategy which targets the storage of energy to support short and long term security of the electricity grid alongside flexible generation. We are committed to using biomass to reduce the need for imported coal at Huntly Power Station and are focused on building a domestic supply chain with key stakeholders. Government support for this is welcomed.

The scale of Genesis’ biomass ambition is significant globally. Our calculations indicate around 300,000 tonnes of biomass will be required annually for Huntly Power Station by FY28 for the fuel to become a deep energy storage option to support long term energy security. Biomass production technology is scaling up internationally with the largest operation currently producing around 120,000 tonnes per year.

Huntly’s Rankine units currently burn a mix of coal and gas. Following a successful burn trial of imported biomass through a Rankine in 2023, we appointed a Biomass Business Development Manager, Dave Binnie, who, with our Fuels team, has been researching biomass production technologies and investment overseas and exploring connections with potential fibre suppliers in New Zealand.

We have recently had teams visiting new biomass production and generation facilities in south-east Asia. Back home we are encouraged by the level of enthusiasm among iwi, the forestry sector, potential capital partners and now the Government to work with us in achieving our goal. Prospects such as opening Crown land to facilitate short cycle biomass fibre growing of eight to nine years are particularly exciting.

The Rankines are the best generation units to secure New Zealand’s electricity supply during cold winter spells and future dry years. Biomass is an ideal domestic fuel to support the Rankines with enough energy currently stored in New Zealand’s exotic forests to cover around 25% of New Zealand’s annual electricity use.

We welcome the Government’s focus on standing up a domestic biomass industry, and look forward to working with the Ministerial bioenergy taskforce to ensure there are no unnecessary barriers to bringing this exciting opportunity to life to support New Zealand’s energy security.

www.genesisenergy.com

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