New report spotlights biofuel’s key role in Waikato’s renewable energy shift

A new report from EECA reveals that switching to biofuel and electricity could be more affordable for many Waikato businesses than sticking with fossil fuels, making the transition to renewable energy not just environmentally, but economically, desirable.

The Waikato Regional Energy Transition Accelerator (RETA) report outlines up to 92% of the region’s industrial heat needs – from dairy to meat, and commercial sectors – could be powered by local biomass. The dairy sector alone accounts for the majority of the region’s fossil fuel use, offering an urgent opportunity for change.

Investing in energy efficiency and demand-reduction technologies could meet 15% of today’s energy demands, cutting around $110M in new infrastructure costs for electricity and biomass.

The report shows it is commercially favourable for businesses that switch to renewable energy or invest in demand-reduction technologies within the next five years. EECA Group Manager Richard Briggs highlights that although there’s an initial capital investment, the long-term savings – in addition to increased productivity and streamlined operations – will offset the upfront costs.