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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
The Kapuni Project is a collaborative partnership between Hiringa Energy, Ballance Agri-Nutrients ,Todd, Parininihi ki Waitōtara (PKW) and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to deliver renewable electricity and enable green hydrogen production in South Taranaki.
It is one of the first projects in Aotearoa 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.
Four 6.4 MW turbines will be installed, with a combined installed capacity of 25.6 MW, expected to generate approximately 100 GWh per year. In total, the renewable electricity generated from the wind turbines is the equivalent electricity to power approximately 24,000 homes, which is more than the New Plymouth urban area.
A 5 MW capacity hydrogen electrolyser will be installed to integrate with the wind farm and the Ballance Kapuni plant. The electrolyser will use the renewable electricity to split water (H20) into oxygen and hydrogen to produce up to two tonnes of green hydrogen per day.
The renewable electricity generated can be utilised to:
- Supply renewable electricity to the Ballance Kapuni plant site operations.
- Produce green hydrogen for emissions-free transport via Hiringa Energy’s refuelling operations.
- Produce green hydrogen to augment some of the natural gas feedstock used to manufacture lower carbon fertiliser at the Ballance Kapuni plant.
- Be exported to the national grid to support Hiringa Energy and Ballance’s operations and supply Nova Energy’s network.
Hiringa Energy, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Todd, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and Parininihi ki Waitōtara (PKW). You can read more about the project partners here.(https://www.greenhydrogennz.com/project-partners)
The Kapuni Project demonstrates the impact of strong regional partnerships, showing how collaboration between key industry, Māori and government partners can drive innovation, economic opportunity and a successful energy transition.
This project is important as it advances the energy transition in Aotearoa by delivering renewable energy and low-emissions technologies, strengthening regional economies and supporting long-term community wellbeing.
Green hydrogen is central to the project’s long‑term value. It provides a zero‑emission fuel for heavy transport and a low‑carbon alternative to fossil‑fuel‑derived hydrogen used in industrial processes.
The project also represents the Taranaki region’s first green hydrogen production, and the largest green hydrogen production capacity in Aotearoa. This flexible supply of green hydrogen is an identified element of the Taranaki Economic Development Strategy, Tapuae Roa, in particular the Energy Futures pillar. The availability of supply will catalyse the regional piloting and adoption of green hydrogen in agriculture, energy and transport, enabling another important tool in the energy transition toolkit.
The project will support the energy transition in both Taranaki and Aotearoa by creating local employment opportunities during construction, commissioning, and ongoing operations, while also adding sovereign energy generation that enhances the energy security profile in Aotearoa.
The renewable electricity generated from the wind turbines can be utilised to:
- Supply renewable electricity to power the Ballance Kapuni plant and site operations.
- Produce green hydrogen for emissions-free transport via Hiringa Energy’s refuelling operations.
- Produce green hydrogen to augment some of the natural gas feedstock used to manufacture lower carbon fertiliser at the Ballance Kapuni plant.
- Be exported to the national grid to support Hiringa Energy and Ballance’s operations and supply Nova Energy’s network.
In doing so, the project will enhance the overall renewable energy supply and support decarbonisation across the wider energy system in Aotearoa.
Green hydrogen is important because it plays a key role in the decarbonisation of transport and industrial sectors (two sectors that are hard to decarbonise using alternative technology such as batteries).()
Producing green hydrogen also helps to enhance New Zealand’s energy security profile by establishing a sovereign source of clean energy, reducing our reliance on imported fuels.
The project will create local employment opportunities during construction and operations, supporting workforce upskilling and contributing to affordable renewable electricity. This is particularly important in the Taranaki region, with its strong history in the energy sector and its prominent role in supporting New Zealand’s energy transition.
At its core, the project is about enabling clean energy generation and low-emission technologies that ultimately benefit the environment. Environmental monitoring and kaitiakitanga are central to the project. Partners are working alongside hapū and iwi to ensure positive outcomes for biodiversity and the local environment. More information can be found here.(https://www.greenhydrogennz.com/environment)
The project represents the Taranaki region’s first green hydrogen production, and the largest green hydrogen production capacity in Aotearoa. It will have the ability to scale hydrogen production up or down, in line with market growth and demand.
Initially the green hydrogen can be used to both augment some of the natural gas feedstock used at Ballance’s Kapuni urea plant, as well as be a zero emission fuel for the heavy transport market, supporting Hiringa Energy’s national green hydrogen refuelling network.(https://www.hiringaenergy.com/hydrogen-refuelling-network) This project will provide a pathway for Taranaki-based refuelling in the future.
It is anticipated over time that the transport market demand will grow, requiring the majority of the production.
The availability of supply will also catalyse the piloting and adoption of green hydrogen in Taranaki agriculture, energy and transport, enabling another important tool in the energy transition toolkit.
Hydrogen has been safely used in industrial applications for decades, with a safety record that is consistent with other fuel types.
The Ballance Kapuni plant has been producing and using hydrogen from natural gas for more than 30 years, operating under rigorous industrial safety standards and procedures.
Hiringa has also been producing and using green hydrogen from electrolysis for two years across four operational hydrogen refuelling stations across the North Island of Aotearoa.
The Kapuni Project will follow strict safety standards for production, storage and handling. Read more about hydrogen safety here.(https://www.hiringaenergy.com/hydrogen-safety)
Ballance Agri‑Nutrients has supported the Kapuni Project from day one with the goal of enabling reliable, low‑emissions energy for the future of farming in Aotearoa, and with the knowledge that investing in renewable energy helps provide certainty for the long term.
The wider challenges around gas supply aren’t going away overnight and this project is an important step forward. It opens up new options for the future, including working toward nutrient production that is cleaner, more resilient, and supports farming businesses for generations to come.
Ballance is continuing to actively seek reliable and affordable gas supply for the Kapuni plant, as it has a critical role in the urea manufacturing process.
Hydrogen is one of the only viable solutions for decarbonising heavy transport. Fuel cell electric vehicles have zero carbon emissions, long range and fast refuelling, enabling similar utilisation, productivity and performance of diesel-powered vehicles.
For more information on green hydrogen and Hiringa Energy see www.hiringa.co.nz(https://www.hiringa.co.nz/)
In the future, a green hydrogen refuelling station is envisaged at Kapuni. Over 40 trucks a day visit the Kapuni site, and neighbouring plants contribute another 40+ trucks visits per day, making the site an ideal location for a refuelling for heavy vehicles.
Hiringa Energy is working with local transport companies and has identified potential routes for trials at Kapuni. Initially, it is anticipated that the green hydrogen produced for transport use can be transported to supply other Hiringa refuelling stations.
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