New Zealand signs hydrogen agreement with Japan

New Zealand and Japan have signed a cooperation agreement to develop hydrogen technology for an alternative fuel.

The agreement between New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry was signed in Tokyo on October 23 by energy and resources minister Megan Woods and Japan’s economy, trade and industry minister Hiroshige Seko.

“This is the first memorandum of its kind with Japan in the world,” Woods says.

“I consider hydrogen as one of the potential tools that will help assist us to reduce global emissions.”

Woods says New Zealand and Japan are intent on transforming their respective energy and transport sectors in the transition to a low-emissions economy.

The partnership will allow the exchange of information to enhance hydrogen development, she says.

“New Zealand has an abundance of renewable energy that could be used to produce hydrogen as a next generation fuel in a sustainable way.

“There is already cooperation between New Zealand and Japan in this space, with the planned construction of a pilot hydrogen production plant between Japan’s Obayashi Corporation and Tuaropaki Trust in Taupo using geothermal energy.”

Woods hopes the agreement will spark interest among Japanese corporates to consider New Zealand as a partner in their development of alternative fuel sources.

New Zealand Hydrogen Association chief executive Dr Linda Wright welcomes the agreement, saying it’s “excellent progress” towards hydrogen capability in New Zealand.

She believes the cooperation will help with delivery of hydrogen infrastructure and the “decarbonisation” of transport and industrial processes while also providing an export opportunity.