Officially commissioned by MP for Dunedin the Honourable Rachel Brooking, the project upgraded the brewery’s primary energy source for steam production from LPG to electricity and is expected to yield lifetime greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings of 18,500  tonnes  (708 tonnes per year).

LION’s Chief Operating Officer and NZ Country Director Craig Baldie said, “We are proud to have made a significant investment in New Zealand’s oldest working brewery.

“Founded in 1876, Speight’s is LION’s second largest brewery and much-loved tourism attraction. The electric boiler will abate around 85 per cent of the Speight’s Brewery’s GHG emissions.

“Delivered through shared investment with EECA, Aurora Energy and LION, this project is a clear example of our ambition to be a force for good and a force for growth.”

Aurora Energy General Manager Customer and Commercial Services, Mark Pratt said the project was done with future demand in mind.

“To support the installation of Speight’s electric boiler, Aurora Energy upgraded and installed 480m of 11 kV cable along Rattray Street. The cable upgrade had the added benefit of improving electricity transfer capacity between Smith St and South City substations and will support future growth and electrification projects in central Dunedin.”

EECA’s Manager Regional & Sector Partnerships Paul Bull reinforced how the Speight’s electric boiler project is an example of strong collaboration leading to greater benefits.

“From early engagement with EECA, through to securing buy-in and support from Meridian, Aurora Energy, and others – LION has shown real leadership.

“This was a complex project, and it’s been terrific to see it go from idea to reality. It will provide inspiration and lessons for others considering electrification. The Speight’s electric boiler is a huge win when energy resilience is front of mind for many.”

The project was originally conceived in 2021 and took just over 4 years to complete. Engineering plans and works had to navigate historical central Dunedin infrastructure and the 150-year-old Speight’s brewery architecture. Delivery involved cross-functional teams from LION as well as national and local partners.

“Reflecting the strategic importance of large-scale electrification, this important project was enabled by shared investment with EECA and Aurora Energy, partnership with Meridian Energy and delivery by key partners including Beca, Windsor Engineering and others.

“As a proud B Corporation, partnership projects that deliver wider benefits like the Speight’s electric boiler, demonstrate our commitment to doing the right thing for the long term,” said Mr Baldie.