Joint Māori and Japanese hydrogen pilot project for Taupō

Friday, 9 February 2018

A project to pilot the commercial production of hydrogen using renewable geothermal energy has been announced.

Taupō-based Tuaropaki Trust and Japanese construction company Obayashi Corporation, have signed a memorandum of understanding to start producing hydrogen, a fuel which produces no carbon emissions.

Tuaropaki Trust opened the Mokai geothermal power station, near Taupō, in 2000, and has other farming and engineering assets in the North Island.

Tuaropaki CEO, Steve Murray, said he was looking forward to working with the Obayashi team.

'We have a shared interest in renewable energy and will use our collective experience and expertise to once again push the boundaries of what can be achieved'.

Tuaropaki Chairman, Tumanako Wereta said Tuaropaki has long been committed to renewable energy.

'We are very interested in other 'green energy' alternatives which align with our strategy and core values.

'We look forward to working with Obayashi Corporation to explore the potential for commercial hydrogen production using renewable geothermal energy to create a CO2-free fuel.

The new venture MoU was signed in Tokyo in December 2017 between Obayashi Corporation President, Toru Shiraishi and Tuaropaki Trust Deputy Chairman, Jamie Ataria.

Obayashi Corporation is one of the world's leading construction companies and a global heavyweight known for its expertise and technological innovation. Most recently in New Zealand, Obayashi played a key role in the construction of New Zealand's longest road tunnels - Auckland's dual 2.4km Waterview Connection.

Obayashi President, Toru Shiraishi, welcomed the new venture with Tuaropaki.

He said they had a 'medium-to-long-term environmental vision' called Obayashi Green Vision 2050 and they were committed to reducing CO2 emissions to help achieve a sustainable society.