All NZ school coal boilers to be replaced

WELLINGTON: All remaining coal boilers in New Zealand schools will be replaced with cleaner wood burners or electric heating by 2025, at a cost of $10 million, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday.

It is part of the latest spending from the $220 million State Sector Decarbonisation Fund, a further $12.92 million going to other projects.

Those include purchasing charging infrastructure and 395 electric vehicles (EVs), bringing the total number of EVs cofunded since the fund’s establishment to 978.

Heating system improvements were also being brought in for Papakura Police Station and Wellington Hospital, a diesel boiler at the Mental Health Unit at Dunstan Hospital in Clyde will be replaced with a heat pump, two gas boilers at a University of Waikato student village in Hamilton will be replaced and more efficient lighting will be installed at Palmerston North Hospital and Northland Polytechnic.

All up, the $22.92 million spending is expected to reduce emissions by about 4929.4 tonnes every year. The Northland Polytechnic upgrade is also expected to save more than $14,000 a year in energy costs.

Climate Minister James Shaw said the Coal Boiler Replacement Programme had previously prioritised the oldest and least efficient boilers, ‘‘but today’s commitment is a major expansion of the programme, and means that all 180 schools with coal boilers will be in a position to prioritise the transition to clean energy’’.

Energy Minister Megan Woods said it showed the Government meant business when it came to cutting emissions and creating jobs for future generations. — RNZ