Construction begins on NZ’s first high-capacity green hydrogen refuelling station

Plans for New Zealand to become a ‘green hydrogen’ hub have gained another shot in the arm, with confirmation that construction of the country’s first high-capacity green hydrogen refuelling site is set to commence this week in Palmerston North.

The site is based near Palmerston North Airport and is being constructed by Hiringa Energy and Waitomo Group. The pair plan to build three other refuelling sites, as part of a larger goal of establishing a national hydrogen refuelling network.

Those who use the station will be able to top up their hydrogen trucks in a period of time comparable to refilling a traditional internal combustion engine truck. The facility will be supported by a Waitomo fuel stop, which will support petrol and diesel vehicles.

The construction of the high-capacity station follows the creation of the county’s first green hydrogen refuelling station, a Tūaropaki Trust and Obayashi Corporation build near Taupo. It opened last December after being in development for three years.

The new Palmerston North refuelling site focuses on heavy transport, where hydrogen has arguably had greater penetration. The country’s first hydrogen trucks, including the Hyundai Xcient, have already arrived in the country for practical evaluation.

As with the Hyundai Xcient programme, Hiringa Energy and Waitomo Group’s refuelling stations benefitted from support from government funding secured via EECA. It’s also backed by Sir Stephen Tindall’s firm, K One W One.

“What began as a discussion between two innovative, future-focused Kiwi companies about developing hydrogen on our existing and new Waitomo Fuel Stops, is now becoming a reality for future Kiwi generations,” says Waitomo Group managing director Jimmy Ormsby.

“Seeing this vision come to life is particularly poignant for me as the third-generation owner of Waitomo, given Waitomo celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. What a way to cement in the transition to a low-emissions fuel future for the fourth generation.

“Adding low-emission alternative fuel solutions to our network is a no-brainer. We want to leave a legacy for the next generation of Ormsby’s to continue in our footsteps. The exciting opportunities that green hydrogen technology offers allows us to deliver on that.”

Hiringa Energy chief executive Andre Clennett notes that although heavy transport only makes up 4% of the country’s fleet, it produces some 25% of the country’s emissions.

“Green hydrogen is the key technology that will allow these fleets to stay on the road. It is a mass-market, clean energy solution that can have a real impact on reducing our transport emissions,” says Clennett.

The three other sites that Hiringa Energy and Waitomo Group are set to build upon are in Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauriko. Construction of all three is set to commence later this year, with the two companies claiming that the four stations will provide 95% coverage for hydrogen vehicles travelling on heavy freight routes.  

Hydrogen was among the topics of discussion during prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s recent trade mission to Singapore and Japan. Toyota chief executive Neeraj Lala, who attended the mission as part of the PM’s delegation, said that one of the main drivers for the push was the desire to “grow the hydrogen economy in New Zealand”.