Ecogas to provide Christchurch with sustainable energy from Organic Waste.
Ōtautahi Christchurch, 6 December 2023 – Ecogas, a leader in organic waste processing, has been selected by Christchurch City Council to provide a long term solution for the processing of kerbside organics and garden waste, solidifying its commitment to closing the food and energy loop for a sustainable future.
Mayor Phil Mauger says the outcome is a win for both Christchurch and wider Canterbury.
“As a Council we’ve been committed to finding a long term organics processing solution that reduces emissions, avoids odour and allows residents to continue using our three-bin kerbside service. The new plant will be designed with sufficient processing capacity for kerbside organics from other councils, as well as commercial producers, so will enable the diversion of organics from landfill to reduce emissions for the whole region.”
Ecogas is proud to be serving Christchurch using internationally proven technology to process organic waste into sustainable products, including renewable electricity, biogas, biofuels and biofertiliser. The fully contained anaerobic digestion plant will be modelled on Ecogas’ North Island operations, where it has successfully managed odour in processing Auckland’s kerbside food waste.
The planned development on an industrial site in South Hornby will also process commercial and industrial organic waste with additional capacity for kerbside and garden waste from other councils in the area. This provides significant opportunities to divert organic waste from landfills and reduce carbon emissions across the wider Canterbury region. The renewable energy produced will help Christchurch industry decarbonise through local options for sustainable fuel.
Ecogas also looks forward to working with Canterbury farmers by providing a locally produced biofertiliser that can replace imported synthetic fertilisers and has been proven to be effective on Waikato dairy farms.
Partnerships have already been established to develop Christchurch as a centre for anaerobic digestion technology, providing opportunities for research and development and skilled employment, aligned with the city’s economic development plans. Ecogas were awarded the Low Carbon Future award at the 2023 New Zealand Energy Awards held at the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre and are excited to be returning to the city in such a fashion.
"This development is a testament to how Ecogas as both a business and a solution aligns with the needs of our councils and communities. Our focus is on providing a solution which fits into and contributes positively to the community.” said Dr Alzbeta Bouskova Houghton, General Manager at Ecogas. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Christchurch City Council, and we look forward to making a meaningful impact on the journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future."
Ecogas is a 100% New Zealand owned business with an 85% community ownership structure through founding partner Pioneer Energy’s owner the Central Lakes Trust. “It’s a highlight of my career, supporting Ecogas in developing this next location on the mainland.” says Pioneer Energy CEO, Fraser Jonker. “A key factor in our work with the Council has been to ensure that we tailor this solution to best fit the needs of the city and wider region while building community engagement with this solution. We are excited about progressing this project and bringing everyone on the journey to a more circular Christchurch.”
As Ecogas and its founding partners Pioneer Energy and EcoStock celebrate this significant milestone, the partnership remains steadfast in its mission to drive positive, sustainable change and set the benchmark for environmentally conscious practices.