Inghams New Zealand operations to be powered by 100 percent renewable electricity from 2025.
New Zealand’s leading poultry provider, Inghams, announced that it has entered into a long-term agreement with Lodestone Energy, New Zealand’s leading utility-scale solar generation company, to provide renewable energy across its New Zealand operations.
From April 2025, the agreement will see Lodestone Energy generate electricity from its multiple solar farms to meet 100 percent of Inghams’ electricity requirements across its New Zealand network, ensuring its operations are more sustainable and resilient.
Inghams Chief Executive New Zealand, Ed Alexander, said Inghams was delighted to work with Lodestone Energy on this innovative solar agreement.
“Sustainability is at the core of our operations, and this agreement is an important step in delivering on our sustainability targets by sourcing 100 percent of our electricity requirements from renewable sources,” said Alexander.
“We have ambitious sustainability goals, and the long-term agreement with Lodestone allows us to offset our electricity carbon footprint and secure a stable and cost-competitive energy source for the future.”
He added that they had obtained the same outcome as building their renewable energy infrastructure but without the upfront capital cost and ongoing maintenance requirements.
“We are like-minded organisations, and it is satisfying to see another industry segment acting quickly to embrace our solution,” said Gary Holden, Managing Director of Lodestone.
“Inghams had a strong desire to move to a fully decarbonised electricity supply in a timely manner, and with this agreement, Lodestone’s rapid development programme will deliver premium certified credentials as their current contracts expire.”
As a part of this agreement, Lodestone will supply Inghams with Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
“RECs are becoming recognised as the most tangible way for electricity consumers to contribute to the green energy transition. By offsetting 100 percent of their consumption with new sources, Inghams directly play their part in a decarbonised future.”
The agreement also reduced the number of carbon credits purchased yearly from the voluntary market for Inghams’ two Toitū net carbon zero certified brands (Waitoa Free Range Chicken and Let’s Eat plant-based).
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