$950k for hydrogen fuel
Taranaki has been given an opportunity to become a leader in hydrogen energy instead of oil and gas.
The Government is funding a Taranaki company to develop a plan for a hydrogen manufacturing and supply network that could eventually see much of the nation’s heavy transport fleet running on zero emission hydrogen fuel.
In New Plymouth yesterday acting Prime Minister Winston Peters announced a $950,000 investment in Hiringa Energy and its partners, which are seeking to develop zero emission hydrogen transport fuel as an alternative to fossil products.
The funding will be used by the New Plymouth company to scope the engineering and design of two hydrogen generation facilities, up to four mobile compressed hydrogen storage and distribution containers, and up to three hydrogen refuelling stations.
‘‘Hiringa Energy and its partners should be congratulated for this foundation project. It has the potential to provide further employment and investment opportunities through clean energy technology,’’ Peters said.
Hiringa chief executive Andrew Clennett said he wanted the initial costings and locations for the project decided by Christmas.
‘‘Hydrogen energy has a lot of promise in heavy transport, in industry and general transport and even export; it’s a form of being able to export renewable energy,’’ Clennett said.
‘‘Hydrogen has benefits – you can refill in five minutes and go up to 800 kilometres and it’s light.
‘‘It’s got particular advantages when you get into long distances and commercial vehicles.’’
Initially, their focus would be on sites like ports, big industrial parks, trucking companies and dairy companies.
‘‘There’s some clever things and New Zealand is very well positioned for this. Our size means we’re big enough to do it and we’re small enough to do it.’’
Regional Economic Development Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau also announced $600,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund for Venture Taranaki to employ a transitional economy manager to help diversify the local economy away from its dependence on the oil and gas industry.
The announcements were made at a lunch with the region’s four-member Mayoral forum and Taranaki iwi leaders.