Pacific Hydro will supply Orora with wind-generated electricity
Orora will have wind-generated electricity supplied to its Gawler Glass facility thanks to a long-term power purchasing agreement with global renewable energy provider Pacific Hydro.
Australian container manufacturer Orora has signed an agreement to have wind-generated electricity supplied to its Gawler Glass facility.
It has signed the long-term power purchasing agreement with global renewable energy provider Pacific Hydro, to supply wind-generated electricity for the South Australian (SA) operations.
The energy will be supplied from Clements Gap Wind Farm, for a volume equal to Orora’s total electricity demand in SA. The agreement also includes risk-sharing arrangements to protect Orora’s exposure to variable market prices in South Australia.
Orora CEO, Nigel Garrard, said: “Orora operates energy intensive businesses and is continuing to actively investigate a range of options to manage higher energy prices and safeguard supply for the Australian operations.
“Renewable energy represents a competitively priced and sustainable energy source and this agreement provides our operations with greater energy price certainty over the long-term.”
The Gawler facility recently completed an AUD 42 million (USUSD 33.8 million) expansion project.
Mr Garrard added that the Gawler facility has implemented a number of process improvements with the focus on safety.
The installation of a world first trial of automated swabbing technology will allow Orora to improve safety and optimise process stability on an ongoing basis.
The operator’s time is redirected from manual swabbing to focus on process quality.
In addition, mould laser cleaning technology was developed and commissioned at the plant, reducing manual handling of over 20 tonnes each day and improving the quality and life of moulds.
In its half-year financials, it said glass volumes were ahead of pcp driven by continued industry growth in bottled wine exports that offset a marginal decline in beer volumes.
He added that the business had purchased land, including two previously leased warehouse facilities adjacent to the Gawler site. This will enable further improvements in supply chain optimisation at the site.