Solid Energy - Renewable Energy Operations

Renewable Energy Operations

Solid Energy had previously invested heavily in the development of renewable energy in New Zealand, but due to the retrenchment action begun in mid-2012, some significant restructuring has occurred. The Biodiesel business has been successfully divested and now exists as two separate business: Biodiesel New Zealand which manufactures biodiesel, and Pure Oil NZ which manages the agri-business operations.

Switch, the wholesale distributor of wood pellet fires and Apricus solar hot water systems has been absorbed by Nature's Flame, a manufacturer of wood pellet fuel. Nature's Flame has been restructured to be a stand-alone business, although is still an asset of Solid Energy.

Nature's Flame produces wood pellets for home heating. The company claims that the wood pellets are a sustainable, renewable fuel that burns so efficiently it is virtually smokeless, and that it meets stringent new clean air standards. According to Solid Energy's 2008 Annual Report, Nature's Flame was the largest manufacturer of wood pellets in the Southern Hemisphere. Nature's Flame began in 2003, when Solid Energy purchased a small wood pellet company based at Rolleston.

Solid Energy has also applied for a resource consent for a hydro-electric power station at its Stockton Mine.