Aurora Energy and Forest Lodge Orchard
Growing Green with Aurora Energy
At Forest Lodge Orchard, our journey to become New Zealand’s first fully electric cherry orchard has been powered by innovation and collaboration. Aurora Energy has been a key partner in helping us achieve our zero fossil fuel goal, transforming our vision into reality.
About Aurora Energy
Aurora Energy is a leading electricity distribution company in New Zealand, dedicated to delivering reliable and sustainable energy solutions.
How Aurora Energy Supports Us
Aurora Energy has been instrumental in providing the guidance and infrastructure needed to power our orchard sustainably:
- Expert Advice: From the very beginning, Aurora Energy provided invaluable advice on setting up our orchard. Their insights helped us transform bare paddocks into a thriving, six-hectare cherry orchard with 9,300 trees, all powered by electricity.
- Upgraded Electricity Connection: We needed an upgraded electricity connection for our electric frost-fighting fans. Aurora Energy’s General Manager of Asset Management, Glenn Coates, worked with us to ensure we had the right infrastructure in place.
- Optimized Renewable Energy Use: Glenn and the Aurora Energy team helped us design a system that integrates solar panels and battery storage with the grid. This setup reduces our capacity requirements and costs while optimizing our use of renewable energy.
Special Mentions
Partnering with Aurora Energy has been a game-changer for Forest Lodge Orchard. Their guidance and infrastructure support have been crucial in our transition to fully electric farming. With Aurora Energy, we’re not just growing cherries; we’re leading the charge in sustainable agriculture.