Taranaki energy company supportive of Govt's future hydrogen vision
Monday, 2 September 2019
A Taranaki energy company has given its support to a Government document on the future use of hydrogen.
Hiringa Energy chief executive Andrew Clennett said the paper launched on Monday by Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods put hydrogen into context with the energy strategy of New Zealand.
'We're really encouraged by the document, it gives us a clear outline where hydrogen will fit in the energy mix for the country,' he said.
'It is fully supportive of the industry and it's great to see the document released.'
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In May Hiringa Energy and Ballance Agri-Nutrients began a $50m project to investigate how to produce hydrogen fuel for the heavy transport sector using wind power.
Clennett said the Green Paper would help increase international exposure for New Zealand in the energy sector.
'It is still early to know how the document will turn into tangible actions from the Government but it is encouraging.
'It gives us a good framework to work from to help with investment decisions.'
The document - A Vision for Hydrogen in New Zealand - laid out the role hydrogen can play in the economy, and what can be done to accelerate its use, Woods said in a statement.
Woods said hydrogen would help reduce global emissions to fight climate change, and create employment.
'This Green Paper discusses how hydrogen could fit into New Zealand's wider energy and transport system.' she said.
'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.'
A joint venture between Hiringa Energy and Ballance Agri-Nutrients would produce commercial-scale green hydrogen in Taranaki, she said.
Oil and gas industry lobby group Petroleum Exploration and Production Association (PEPANZ) said natural gas would be more cost-effective than electricity to produce hydrogen.
Environmental activists Greenpeace said it was against natural gas being used to produce hydrogen.
Natural gas suppliers First Gas said the Government's future hydrogen strategy was far sighted but it would take many years before hydrogen was in everyday use in industry, transport and consumer sectors.
Submissions on the Green Paper close at 5pm on October 25.