New Zealand’s Genesis Energy has announced plans to generate electricity using biomass at its Huntly Power Station within the next three to four years. The initiative aims to reduce the company’s reliance on imported coal and declining gas reserves, reported Bioenergy insight.
Chief Executive Malcolm Johns revealed that Genesis will collaborate with local investors and forest owners to develop domestic biomass production. The company also plans to establish long-term supply agreements to ensure a stable supply chain.
“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,” Johns said.
Genesis estimates that around 300,000 tonnes of biomass will be required annually for the Huntly facility by 2028 to make biomass a viable deep energy storage option. “Biomass production technology is scaling up internationally with the largest operation currently producing around 120,000 tonnes per year,” he added.
The Rankine units at Huntly currently burn a mix of coal and gas. After a successful trial using imported biomass in 2023, Genesis appointed a biomass business development manager, Dave Binnie, to spearhead research into biomass production technologies and seek out potential fibre suppliers in New Zealand.
We’ve just had teams visit some new biomass production and generation facilities in Southeast Asia. Back home, we’re heartened by the enthusiasm shown by iwi, the forestry sector, potential capital partners, and now the government to work with us in achieving our goal,” Johns said. “Opportunities such as opening Crown land to enable short-cycle biomass fibre growing of eight to nine years are particularly exciting.
Johns also praised the government’s support for a domestic biomass industry. “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,” he said.
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