NZ hydrogen plan launched

A national vision for hydrogen which includes its use in transport has been launched by energy and resources minister Megan Woods.

Announcing a Green Paper, A Vision for Hydrogen in New Zealand , she says it fits with the Government’s strategy to combat climate change, including greater support for low emissions vehicles

The paper outlines the role hydrogen can play in New Zealand’s economy, and what can be done to accelerate its use.

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

“With hydrogen, we have opportunities to create new jobs, convert heavy transport away from fossil fuels, enhance our security of electricity supply and even generate significant export revenue.

“For a country blessed with abundant renewable energy, the ability to convert our clean electricity into green hydrogen which can fetch a premium on global markets is a major economic opportunity.”

Woods says clear international interest in hydrogen sourced from New Zealand already exists.

“Last year, we signed a world-first memorandum of co-operation with Japan to encourage collaboration between us on hydrogen initiatives.

“We’re already seeing significant investment in hydrogen locally, with projects like the joint venture between Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Hiringa Energy to produce commercial-scale green hydrogen in Taranaki and Tuaropaki Trust’s partnership with Japanese multinational Obayashi Corporation to construct a pilot hydrogen production facility using geothermal electricity near Taupo.”

Woods says the paper is part of a renewable energy strategy work programme also looking to address barriers to investment in new renewable energy.

“This Green Paper discusses how hydrogen could fit into New Zealand’s wider energy and transport system. The paper builds on existing work, identifying the possible applications, benefits and barriers to the uptake of hydrogen in our energy, transport and export sectors. It explores the role that hydrogen could play in different pathways to decarbonisation, and energy resilience,” she says.

It sits alongside the Government’s decision to end new offshore oil and gas exploration, investment in a National New Energy Development Centre in Taranaki, backing cutting edge renewable energy technology, greater support for low emissions vehicles and helping businesses to invest in low emissions industrial processing with the aim of reaching 100% renewable electricity by 2035 and to transition to a clean, green and carbon neutral economy by 2050.

Submissions on the Green Paper close on October 25.