Green hydrogen - unlocking our low emissions future
Ballance is at the forefront of green hydrogen production in New Zealand. In partnership with Hiringa Energy*, Todd, Parininihi ki Waitōtara (PKW), and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), we are building a renewable energy and green hydrogen hub in Taranaki to establish a sustainable green hydrogen market in New Zealand.
Like farmers and growers we continue to explore ways to further reduce our environmental footprint. This renewable energy partnership reflects our commitment to creating sustainable solutions across our business, to further reduce the environmental impact of farm inputs across Aotearoa. The 24 megawatts of renewable energy from this project also augments the wider New Zealand electricity market.
How does it work?
This project will install four large wind turbines near our Kapuni site, which will provide 100 percent renewable power supply to our site operations at our existing urea fertiliser plant, and enough surplus electricity to power a series of electrolysers to produce high-purity green hydrogen.
The green hydrogen produced onsite will supply low-emission hydrogen to the transport sector through project partner, Hiringa Energy. The hydrogen produced onsite will also be able to augment some of the natural gas feedstock for our urea plant to produce “greener” nitrogen fertilisers which lowers our emissions profile.
While we face uncertainties around affordable supply of natural gas to operate our Kapuni plant longer-term, this project continues our focus on renewable energy and decarbonisation for New Zealand’s farmers and enabling the Taranaki region.
Our green hydrogen project, with our project partners
Why green hydrogen?
Green hydrogen is central to the project's long-term value. The project features flexible green hydrogen production that can scale with demand, utilising a 5MW hydrogen electrolyser integrated with the wind farm and the Ballance Kapuni plant to produce up to two tonnes of green hydrogen per day.
It is one of the first projects in New Zealand to integrate wind, industrial electricity supply and green hydrogen production at scale, with the ability to decarbonise multiple sectors simultaneously; namely transport, energy industry and agriculture.
*Hiringa Energy is one of the first company’s in New Zealand dedicated to the production and supply of green hydrogen for industry, the public sector, and transport operators, as well as establishing a nationwide hydrogen refuelling network. Hiringa is a high-growth clean energy company located in Taranaki, and are the Development Manager for the project.
Approximately 60% of New Zealand’s energy needs are currently being met by fossil fuels. With our country having committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, hydrogen has been acknowledged as a key to decarbonisation, promising low emissions transport fuel for heavy and long-haul vehicles.
- This project was awarded the 2021 Primary Industry New Zealand Award for Innovation & Collaboration.
- Government investment of $19.9 million from MBIE as this project is significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).
- A key regional project in the H2 Taranaki Roadmap supported by current and prior governments.