Green hydrogen talks part of PM’s trade mission to Japan, Singapore

Creating a green hydrogen economy are among discussion topics as prime minister Jacinda Ardern meets with officials in Singapore and Japan as part of a week-long trip.

The prime minister departed on April 18 which is her first trade mission overseas in two years.

In Singapore, Ardern will meet with prime minister Lee Hsien Loong and make a call on president Halimah Yacob. She will also address key Singapore entrepreneurs and business leaders as part of a NZ hosted gala dinner.

In Japan, she will meet with prime minister Fumio Kishida for the first time to discuss global and regional challenges. She will also address the Japan-New Zealand Business Council, meet with high profile business and industry leader’s including in the clean energy and tech sectors.

Toyota New Zealand chief executive Neeraj Lala will be among 13 business leaders in the trade delegation Japan.

In a post published to social media, Lala said he hopes to have further discussions around hydrogen’s local viability.

“Very humbling to be invited and representing our Toyota family for the PM’s first trade mission to Japan as a trade delegate,” said Lala.

“Our role is to support Govt and present the hydrogen opportunity and grow the hydrogen economy in New Zealand. This isn’t about selling cars, but selling a dream that could easily become reality.”

Toyota’s local arm has been open about supporting multiple engine formats in the pursuit of reducing the emissions of its local fleet, as opposed to backing solely electric vehicles. Lala believes hydrogen can be a big part of achieving net zero by 2050.

“Speaking with PM Kishida-san and PM Ardern to launch the hydrogen opportunity is going to be up there for our company as we focus on NetZero by 2050,” he added.

The brand’s focus on hydrogen has increased in recent times. In February Toyota NZ announced it would be expanding its exploration and development of hydrogen solutions.

The announcement confirmed it would supply two hydrogen fuel cell systems to Emirates Team New Zealand for its foiling chase boat, known as Chase Zero.

This announcement follows growing interest in setting up a green hydrogen plant in New Zealand. Meridian Energy and Contact Energy are among those considering such a project, via their combined ‘Southern Green Hydrogen Project’.

The project could be set up at the embattled Tiwai Point facility in Southland.

Back in 2018, New Zealand signed a cooperation agreement with Japan over the development of hydrogen technology — the first memorandum of its kind with Japan in the world. A hydrogen deal was also signed with Singapore in July last year. 

As previously reported, Ardern has said that the trade mission will focus on renewable energy, technology, tourism, the supply chain between New Zealand and Asia, and more.

“Strengthening partnerships between government, business and industry will help accelerate our strong economic recovery,” said Ardern.

“This trade delegation will include impressive representatives from New Zealand’s dairy, food and beverage, technology, tourism and renewable energy sectors, with a focus on promoting sustainability and innovation.”