The second session in Priority One’s Energy Event Series explored the Bay of Plenty’s biomass potential and the role biomass can play in New Zealand’s energy future. Bringing together experts from across industry, the various speakers discussed the technologies, applications and fuel sources that are helping organisations reduce emissions, improve energy resilience and transition away from fossil fuels. 

Attendees heard from expert speakers from EECA, the Bioeconomy Science Institute, Windsor Energy, Apricus Eco, POLYTECHNIK Biomass Energy, Nature’s Flame and Foresta. Here we share key insights from that session, along with a recording of all presentations (video above). 

Key takeaways 

• Biomass is already a proven and widely deployed energy solution in New Zealand. 

• New Zealand has an abundant and sustainable supply of forestry residues and wood fibre. 

• Biomass can help reduce reliance on increasingly constrained natural gas supplies. 

• Solutions exist for organisations of all sizes, from schools and hospitals to major industrial processors. 

• Wood pellets, wood chips, and other biomass fuels offer different cost, storage, and operational advantages. 

• Early planning is essential, with larger projects often requiring two to three years from concept to commissioning. 

• Multiple support mechanisms are available through EECA and industry partners. 

The Importance of Biomass in New Zealand: Aden Jones, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)

Aden Jones, Regional Manager at EECA, opened the session by highlighting the growing challenges facing New Zealand’s energy system. Gas production has declined faster than previously forecast, creating uncertainty around future supply and increasing pressure on prices. 

Jones emphasised that biomass offers a practical and proven alternative. More than 30 large industrial facilities across New Zealand have recently adopted biomass systems, including sites operated by Fonterra, Open Country Dairy, AFFCO and Olam Agri. Schools, universities and commercial buildings are also successfully using biomass heating systems. 

Things to consider: 

• Biomass already has a strong track record in New Zealand. 

• Biomass supply is available across multiple regions. 

• Different fuel options provide flexibility depending on site requirements. 

• EECA support is available for assessments, feasibility studies and business case development. 

Key insight: Businesses don’t need to be first movers. There are already many successful biomass projects operating across New Zealand that can provide valuable lessons and confidence for future investments. 

The Biomass Reserve & Science: Peter Hall, Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI) 

Peter Hall outlined why forestry-derived biomass is uniquely positioned as a renewable energy source. Unlike many energy alternatives, wood biomass is storable, available year-round, applicable nationwide, and forms part of a regenerative carbon cycle when forests are managed sustainably. 

Hall stressed that New Zealand’s plantation forestry sector produces significantly more wood than is currently utilised domestically, creating substantial opportunities for additional energy production. Large volumes of forestry residues, lower-grade logs, sawmill by-products and municipal wood waste remain available for energy applications. 

Key considerations: 

• New Zealand harvests less timber than it grows. 

• Forest residues can provide significant additional energy resources. 

• Biomass can displace coal and reduce dependence on natural gas. 

• Efficient use of biomass should be prioritised to maximise emissions reductions. 

Key insight: There’s sufficient wood resource available to substantially reduce fossil fuel use in many regions while maintaining sustainable forestry practices.

Biomass in Industry (larger scale): Cameron Marett, Windsor Energy & CIL 

Cameron Marett from Windsor Energy focused on the practical realities of implementing large-scale biomass boiler systems. He explained that successful projects begin with understanding fuel selection, storage requirements, plant layout, emissions controls and operational needs. While biomass can provide significant benefits, it requires more space and infrastructure than conventional gas-fired systems. Wood pellets offer a compact, energy-dense solution that simplifies storage and handling, while wood chips can offer lower fuel costs where supply is readily available. 

Before progressing a project, consider: 

• Available site footprint. 

• Fuel storage and delivery logistics. 

• Resource consent requirements. 

• Boiler responsiveness and process load requirements. 

• Long-term fuel supply arrangements. 

Key insight: Biomass technology must be matched to each site’s operational requirements rather than applied as a one-size-fits-all solution

Biomass in Industry (smaller scale): Marcus Baker, Apricus Eco 

Marcus Baker showcased examples demonstrating that biomass is not only suitable for large industrial users. Projects such as Invercargill Prison, retirement villages, schools and healthcare facilities show how modern pellet boiler systems can be installed quickly and with minimal disruption. Containerised systems provide a flexible option where space is limited or rapid deployment is required. 

Marcus also highlighted the benefits of pellets, including lower delivery frequency, compact storage requirements and very low particulate emissions. 

Benefits of smaller-scale biomass systems include: 

• Fast installation timeframes. 

• Compact, containerised designs. 

• Reduced reliance on fossil fuels. 

• Low maintenance and automated operation. 

Key insight: Biomass solutions are increasingly accessible to organisations beyond large industrial users, including public sector and commercial facilities. 

One Residue. Six Opportunities: Heat, Cooling, Power, CO₂, Fuels & Carbon: Christian Jirkowsky, POLYTECHNIK Biomass Energy 

Christian’s presentation explored the broader bioenergy landscape, showing how forestry residues can be used not only for heat but also for electricity generation, cooling, biochar, renewable gases and future low-carbon fuels. He highlighted how biomass technologies continue to evolve, with gasification, carbonisation and torrefaction enabling new pathways for renewable energy production and carbon reduction. 

Emerging opportunities include: 

• Combined heat and power systems. 

• Renewable gas production. 

• Biochar manufacturing. 

• Carbon capture applications. 

• Torrefied biomass fuels. 

Key insight: Biomass is more than a replacement for fossil fuels. It’s a platform for a wider bioeconomy that can deliver multiple energy and environmental benefits. 

Renewable Energy Fuel: John Goodwin, Nature’s Flame 

John Goodwin shared insights from over two decades of wood pellet manufacturing in New Zealand. Nature’s Flame currently produces approximately 200,000 tonnes of pellets annually, supplying both domestic and international markets. Pellets provide a highly consistent fuel with predictable energy content, low moisture levels and reliable combustion performance. 

Recent projects such as AFFCO Horotiu demonstrate that pellet systems can fully replace fossil gas in demanding industrial environments while operating largely autonomously. 

Advantages of wood pellets include: 

• Consistent fuel quality. 

• Smaller storage requirements. 

• Automated fuel handling. 

• Strong supply chain maturity. 

• Reliable operational performance. 

Key insight: Wood pellets are already delivering large-scale industrial decarbonisation projects and provide confidence for businesses looking to transition from fossil fuels. 

Renewable Energy & Sustainable Chemistry: Dean Ormrod, Foresta 

Dean Ormrod introduced Foresta’s plans for a major biomass processing facility in Kawerau that will produce both renewable biochemicals and torrefied wood pellets. 

The project aims to leverage the Bay of Plenty’s forestry resources, geothermal energy, transport infrastructure and proximity to export markets. Torrefied pellets offer a high-energy, hydrophobic fuel that can act as a drop-in replacement for coal in many industrial applications. 

Alongside low-carbon fuel production, the facility will create jobs, generate export revenue and support regional economic growth. 

Potential outcomes include: 

• Renewable coal alternatives. 

• New export opportunities. 

• Increased value from forestry resources. 

• Regional employment and investment. 

Key insight: Advanced biomass processing has the potential to create entirely new industries while helping reduce global emissions. 

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Biomass is no longer an emerging technology. It is already being used across New Zealand to help schools, hospitals, manufacturers, food processors and commercial buildings reduce emissions and improve energy resilience. As organisations look to strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, biomass presents a practical option worth considering. With its strong forestry base, existing processing capability and emerging initiatives such as Foresta in Kawerau, the Bay of Plenty has many of the ingredients needed to support the continued growth of New Zealand’s bioenergy sector.

To watch these speaker presentations, see the video at top of this page.

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