STDC to Reduce Emissions by a Third

The South Taranaki District Council (STDC) will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by around 33% following Monday’s (19 September) decision to switch from gas fired boilers at the Hāwera Aquatic Centre to new electrical heat pumps.

STDC Property and Facilities Manager Phil Waite says the Hāwera Aquatic Centre accounts for approximately 97% of the Council’s annual natural gas use which represents a third of the Council’s total carbon emissions (Scope 1 & 2).

“Installing electric air-water heat pumps at the Aquatic Centre will have the single biggest impact on reducing our emissions footprint across all our facilities,” says Mr Waite.

“It’s estimated to reduce the Aquatic Centre’s annual carbon emissions by 324 tonnes, the equivalent of taking 118 cars off the road,” he says. “In addition, there will be significant energy savings to be made through the upgrade, so it’s a win-win for the Council, our ratepayers and the environment.”

Waite says the cost of replacing the boilers with electric heat pumps is estimated to be $448,500. The Council has received $174,000 from EECA’s (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) Technology Demonstration fund, with the remainder being paid for by a loan.

“The loan will be paid for in seven years with savings made from the aquatic centre’s reduced energy costs, so the whole project is cost neutral,” he says.

EECA’s Business Group Manager, Nicki Sutherland, says the project demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of switching to heat pumps for heating public swimming pools – many of which are still powered by fossil fuels.

“We’re confident that the results of this project will encourage other New Zealand aquatic centres to replace their coal or gas systems with electric heat pumps,” Nicki said.

“We’re so pleased we can help the Council take out a third of its emissions, and that the South Taranaki community can relax, play, and exercise in this pool knowing it’s no longer polluting the beautiful Taranaki air. This is a great example that other councils can follow,” Nicki says.

The work to install the new electric pumps will get underway at the end of this summer season.