Tiwai smelter’s 20-year deal positive for Southland

New Zealand Aluminium Smelters announcement today (31/5/2024) that it has secured energy supply for its Tiwai site to at least 2044, gives economic certainty for Southland and means it can continue honouring its commitment to environmental remediation of its site.

Independent monitoring in 2022 found a range of contaminants escaping into the surrounding coastal marine environment via groundwater, from the on-site closed landfill and first-flush stormwater discharges.

Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell said the announcement is positive news for Southland.

”I’m pleased for the employees at Tiwai and the Southland businesses who work with it. Economically, it’s good for Southland to have the security of the longer-term energy supply.

“Environmentally, the smelter has made some steady progress towards environmental improvements and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them to ensure the site meets appropriate environmental standards.”

New Zealand Aluminium Smelters holds eight consents with Environment Southland.

More information is available on our website:

https://www.es.govt.nz/environment/industry/new-zealand-aluminium-smelters

https://www.es.govt.nz/about-us/news?item=id:2o4q3evo31cxbyxk2pgb