Renewable energy for Christchurch hospital
22 March 2019
Health Minister Dr David Clark says two new
woody biomass boilers for
Christchurch Hospital will improve the
Canterbury DHB’s
resilience and
environmental sustainability.
Polytechnik Biomass Energy, based in Austria, has been awarded the
contract to design, manufacture and install replacements for the current
coal-fired boilers. The total budget for the project is approximately
$45 million.
“The existing boiler house at Canterbury DHB’s main
hospital campus was
damaged in the 2011 earthquake and is at increased risk of failure in
the event of another significant earthquake.
“This investment will tackle that vulnerability and ensure the critical
energy supply for the hospital is modern and reliable.
“The new boilers will use sustainably produced wood biomass, which is a
renewable resource and affordable. The boilers are a great way to
dispose of waste wood, and will emit far less carbon dioxide than
conventional fossil fuels.
“The design and construction of the two 7.5Mw capacity biomass boilers
is a key next step towards building the new Energy Centre, which is
needed to service the new Christchurch Hospital, Hagley (formerly known
as the Acute Services Building) and all of Canterbury DHB’s main
hospital campus.
“Once the design of the boilers has been completed, then the design and
procurement of the Energy Centre building can take place.
“This is a key piece of the hospital’s infrastructure. Staff and
patients need to know the energy supply can be relied on. This
investment will give them that confidence,” David Clark said.
It is expected that construction of the new Energy Centre will get
underway in late 2019, and that the project will be completed by the end
of 2020 or early 2021.
NOTE: Funding for the project is drawn from the
Earthquake Repairs Programme of Works, which was established with
insurance settlement funds.
--ENDS--
Source: New Zealand Government - www.beehive.govt.nz
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