› New Energy Centre chimney

29 November 2021

The final section of the stainless-steel chimney in Canterbury DHB’s new Energy Centre was bolted on last week, completing the 44m structure.

The existing coal boiler house had a concrete chimney, which was demolished due to earthquake damage, says Energy Manager Tim Emson, "This new one will stand out around the city, as did the old chimney which was even taller at 55m high.” The new chimney forms part of Canterbury DHB’s Energy Centre currently being built to the east of the Canterbury Health Laboratories building. This replaces the old coal boiler house boiler with sustainably-produced wood biomass boilers, offering a renewable, more efficient energy resource. “Moving away from coal will significantly reduce Canterbury DHB’s greenhouse gas emissions as the new system will emit far less than conventional fossil fuels, about 60 times less than coal,” Tim says. Work on the approximately $45 million Ministry of Health project is expected to be completed by mid-2022.

The old chimney being built in 1969

The chimney under construction The last piece of the new chimney being attached