Talley's gets $1 million boost to reduce its carbon footprint in Blenheim

Wednesday, 20 October 2021

Talley’s will replace its two coal boilers at its Blenheim site with a new wood pellet boiler.

Talley's Blenheim factory is getting a million dollar contribution from the Government for its coal conversion project.

The food processing company is running one of the 23 new projects that will receive Government co-investment from round two of the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) Fund.

The $69 million partnership between Government and business was established last year as part of the Government’s Covid-19 response, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and supporting regional economies.

Talley's Blenheim plant currently uses three diesel (1.2 megawatt) and two coal boilers (1.2 megawatt) to generate steam to operate both vegetable and shellfish production.

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Talley’s CEO Tony Hazlett said the boilers will be replaced with a new 6 megawatt renewable energy one that uses locally sourced wood pellets.

“Pellet fuel is a renewable fuel created by using the waste streams from timber processing.

“The steam reticulation system will also be improved with a new steam distribution header.

“That will improve energy efficiency by reducing energy lost to large swings in steam load caused by poor flow within the pipe network.

“By implementing a more efficient pipe design and latest technology boilers the site will transition to be powered by a fully renewable fuel source,” Hazlett said.

The conversion is expected to reduce emissions at the site by 3867 tonnes per year.

Hazlett said the biomass boiler project was part of the company's wider strategy.

“Consumption of fossil fuels is still a reality for many industrial businesses, hospitals and even schools throughout the country today.

“We aim to turn over every stone and see where we can reduce our emissions and implement real change,” Hazlett said.

The transition at the Blenheim site is expected to be completed by mid-2022 and will create about 15 full-time jobs.

“Our priority is for local jobs first, and if there is not the expertise we need in Marlborough, then we will look to those with the skills in other centres in New Zealand.

“There will also be a consistent workload generated for the local service industry for maintenance and servicing, again, with these jobs hopefully from Marlborough.

“As well as providing economic benefits, there is also potential for upskilling workers, which is important as industry looks to convert to a non-carbon future,” Hazlett said.