Hiringa Energy (Hiringa), together with its investors and partners, has launched Australasia’s first zero-emission green hydrogen refuelling network, Hiringa Refuelling New Zealand (HRNZ), to propel New Zealand towards its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
With 25 percent of New Zealand’s transport emissions coming from the heavy transport sector despite only making up four per cent of the vehicles on the roads, the opening of the first station at Wiri marks a groundbreaking step towards decarbonising the country’s heavy transportation sector.
The network has been established in partnership with New Zealand’s leading independent fuel supplier, Waitomo Group, and TR Group. The launch sees three strategically located stations opening in Wiri (South Auckland), Te Rapa (Hamilton) and Palmerston North, with a fourth station in Tauranga progressing as an integral part of the new Tauriko SH29 roading infrastructure. Together, the green energy network is positioned to service 95 per cent of the heavy freight routes across the North Island including the “Golden Triangle” of freight movement (between Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga).
With the opening of the network, hydrogen-powered trucks can go into commercial operation enabling heavy transport to begin its transition to zero-emission alternatives. The refuelling stations are powered by clean, renewable energy and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enabling hydrogen-powered heavy transport vehicles such as trucks and buses to refuel with green hydrogen in 10 to 20 minutes.
Network infrastructure establishment has received support from the New Zealand Government via a $16M loan, growth capital from key investors including Sir Stephen Tindall’s fund K1W1, and international investment from Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Green Impact Partners alongside Hiringa Energy.
Simon Parham, Chief Executive Officer of Waitomo Group says: “Green hydrogen offers a versatile, alternative solution for long-haul trucking and other heavy transport vehicles as New Zealand begins the switch to future fuel generation. Waitomo has been fueling Kiwis for more than three generations, so we’ll also be part of the fuel solutions for the future generations.
“Partnering with Hiringa allows us to deliver on that vision by collocating the Hiringa refuelling sites on our forecourts regularly used by heavy transport operators. Today’s milestone demonstrates what two innovative and entrepreneurial Kiwi companies.
“This project has been enabled via forward thinking companies such as NZ Post with many more set to come on board. Their early adoption and willingness to trial and introduce zero emission technologies to their fleet is highly commendable as without this leadership, our industry doesn’t get the learnings and proof points to move forward at scale.”
Creating scale for hydrogen energy
The Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck has been deployed on commercial operations since 2023, having completed more than 70,000kms, eliminating the need for an estimated 29,700 litres of diesel which represents 80 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, and purifying the air around the vehicle at the same time.
David Walsh, Chief Executive Officer at NZ Post says that while it has been a success seeing their hydrogen truck demonstrating this technology and travelling over 350kms a day (using slower mobile refuelling) having the heavy-duty refuelling network in place will be instrumental in enabling NZ Post to use this hydrogen truck on longer distances.
“With rapid refuelling now available this will allow us to operate the hydrogen truck seven days a week, 24 hours a day, with zero emissions. We’re thrilled to see this national network come together.”
The infrastructure will in addition set the stage to provide a fast and reliable source of hydrogen to seed multiple other applications including marine, construction, materials handling, stationary power and most notably, aviation.
