Biomass boiler funding of $6m takes UC closer to sustainability targets
The University of Canterbury’s (UC) goal of becoming carbon net neutral by 2030 has received a $6.24 million boost with the announcement of Government funding towards new energy infrastructure at UC’s Ilam campus.
“We are delighted with this outcome, which is another important step towards our sustainability goals,” Professor De la Rey says. “With this fund the public sector can reduce carbon emissions and lead the way in steering Aotearoa New Zealand towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
UC’s application was supported by Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), which has been working with the university since 2009 providing funding for audits, design advice and feasibility studies to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, most recently supporting the LCES roadmap strategy for creating a more sustainable campus.
The $6.24m funding covers a large amount of the cost of a new $15.6m biomass boiler at the Ilam Campus.
The biomass boiler will replace two coal boilers by March 2022, and will run on waste-wood from renewable plantations. Installing biomass boilers will result in an immediate reduction of coal emissions at the Ilam campus from 11,000 tonnes annually to 2,200 tonnes annually – an 80% reduction.