INDUSTRY
Dairy
SOLUTION
Advisory
When Mataura Valley Milk (MVM), part of The a2 Milk Company (a2MC), set out to convert its Southland facility into New Zealand’s first all-electric dairy plant, several factors had to align: selecting the right boiler, ensuring it had sufficient renewable energy, expanding network capacity, and engaging everyone to work together.
With a focus on sustainability, MVM selected a High-Pressure Electrode Boiler (HPEB) over a low-pressure one, which would have only reduced MVM’s coal usage by 30%. We collaborated with Transpower to explore network connection options, ensuring MVM had the necessary electrical capacity to operate the boiler.
Together with MVM, we identified additional opportunities to enhance the project’s capital structure, access transmission pricing, and minimise energy losses – all of which contributed to the project’s commercial viability. With our support, MVM was able to thoroughly evaluate options, make decisions that balanced short and long-term priorities, and negotiate a cost-effective contract for electrical capacity.
