Inghams does Lodestone solar deal

Poultry provider Inghams has selected Lodestone Energy’s solar contract in an agreement starting 2025.

Under the 20-year agreement, Lodestone Energy will generate renewable electricity from its solar farms in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel to meet Inghams’ demand long into the future.   

The flexible agreement matches 100% of Inghams’ consumption and will adapt to Ingham’s energy requirements over time, ensuring its operations are more sustainable and resilient in the face of growing demand and a volatile electricity market. 

“Lodestone’s 100% renewable energy proposition is innovative, saves us money and enables Inghams to meet its decarbonisation goals long into the future,” says Inghams New Zealand chief executive Ed Alexander.

“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.”  

 Lodestone managing director Gary Holden says it’s satisfying to see another industry segment acting quickly to embrace Lodestone’s solution.

“Inghams had a strong desire to move to a fully decarbonised electricity supply in a timely manner, and with this agreement, Lodestone’s rapid development programme will deliver premium certified credentials as their current contracts expire.”

As a part of this agreement, Lodestone will supply Inghams with Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). 

“RECs are becoming recognised as the most tangible way for electricity consumers to contribute to the green energy transition,” says Holden.

“By offsetting 100% of their consumption with new sources, Inghams will directly play its part in a decarbonised future.”  

For Lodestone, this partnership is another important step in delivering on a capital programme that plans to add more than 800GWh to the market by 2028.