Obayashi Corporation has been selected as the equity partner for the hydrogen project being developed by the Ports of Auckland Limited (POAL).
POAL wants to develop a low emissions green hydrogen production facility and refuelling station onsite as it “aims to replace its existing heavy port equipment with hydrogen powered alternatives,” said Obayashi.
Joint venture
As the next step, POAL and Obayashi will be setting up a joint venture to undertake the hydrogen refuelling station project in Auckland with an ambition to become a leading model of sustainability in the port sector and surrounding supply chain. The joint venture will be also examining opportunities to expand hydrogen production and supply at POAL inland ports to promote supply and demand for hydrogen in New Zealand.
In 2018, together with its local partner Tuaropaki Trust, which owns one of the major geothermal power stations in the country, Obayashi undertook a pilot project to develop New Zealand’s first megawatt-class green hydrogen production facility. Located in Taupō in the middle of the North Island of New Zealand, the plant uses electricity generated from geothermal energy and started gradual operations after construction was completed in March.
Auckland Council-owned POAL has committed to becoming a “zero-emissions entity” by 2040.
In 2020, the New Zealand government announced an ambitious goal of 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030, up from the current level of around 80%. The government is also actively promoting a wider use of hydrogen and set out ‘A vision for Hydrogen in New Zealand’ that discusses how hydrogen could fit into New Zealand’s wider energy and transport system.