Inghams, New Zealand’s leading poultry producer, has announced a landmark agreement with Lodestone Energy, set to begin in 2025. This long-term deal will see Lodestone Energy supply 100% renewable energy from its solar farms in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel, meeting all of Inghams’ energy needs.
Lodestone Energy and Inghams Partner for 20-Year Solar Deal
This significant 20-year partnership will see Lodestone Energy, a grid-scale solar developer in Aotearoa New Zealand, cover 100% of poultry supplier Inghams’ electricity needs with power from solar farms on the North Island.
The flexible agreement guarantees full coverage of Inghams’ energy needs and is designed to evolve with its consumption requirements, enhancing both sustainability and resilience amid increasing demand and a fluctuating electricity market.
“Lodestone’s 100% renewable energy proposition is innovative, saves us money and enables Ingham’s to meet its decarbonisation goals long into the future,” said Ed Alexander, Chief Executive of Inghams New Zealand. “We are obtaining the same outcome as if we built our own rooftop solar infrastructure but without the upfront capital cost and ongoing maintenance requirements.”
“We are like-minded organisations, and it is satisfying to see another industry segment acting quickly to embrace our solution,” said Gary Holden, Managing Director of Lodestone Energy. “Inghams had a strong desire to move to a fully decarbonised electricity supply promptly, and with this agreement, Lodestone’s rapid development programme will deliver premium certified credentials as their current contracts expire.”
Lodestone’s Solar Hedge: A Sustainable Solution
Backed by renewable energy certificates (RECs), Lodestone’s solar hedge solution allows organizations to adopt long-term strategies for mitigating the uncertainties of carbon pricing and gas expenses.
The agreement draws power from the Te Herenga o Te Rā (Waiotahe) agrivoltaics solar farm near the Bay of Plenty, which boasts 70,000 panels producing 69 GWh annually.
It also encompasses other solar farms in the Coromandel region, including Lodestone’s newest project in Whitianga. This site is expected to generate 50 GWh annually from its 53,000 solar panels and is scheduled for completion in November 2025.
“RECs are becoming recognised as the most tangible way for electricity consumers to contribute to the green energy transition,” said Gary Holden, Managing Director of Lodestone Energy. “By offsetting 100% of their consumption with new sources, Inghams will directly play its part in a decarbonised future.”
“At Inghams, sustainability is at the core of our operations. This long-term agreement with Lodestone allows us to not only offset our electricity carbon footprint but also secure a stable and cost-competitive energy source for the future,” added Ed Alexander, Chief Executive of Inghams New Zealand.
Partners’ Commitment to Sustainable Energy
Established in 2019 to help decarbonize the national energy sector, Lodestone Energy Limited is New Zealand’s leading utility-scale solar generation company. The company is expanding its capital program to significantly increase solar production in the New Zealand electricity market and pioneer new solar-based energy contracts for customers.
Lodestone currently has four utility-scale solar farms operating or under construction in Northland, the Bay of Plenty, and the Coromandel. Additional sites in Dargaville, Manawatu, and Canterbury are planned, with construction set to begin in 2025.
Inghams Enterprises (NZ) Pty Ltd is a prominent poultry producer in New Zealand, committed to providing high-quality products while prioritizing sustainability and minimizing its environmental impact. Through innovative practices and strategic partnerships, the company aims to foster a more sustainable future for the food industry.
