Green hydrogen company Hiringa Energy has launched Australasia’s first zero-emission green hydrogen refuelling network, Hiringa Refuelling New Zealand.

The network has been established in partnership with Waitomo Group and TR Group.

The launch sees three 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% 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 will enable hydrogen-powered heavy transport vehicles including trucks and buses to refuel with green hydrogen in 10 to 20 minutes.

“Heavy transport plays a vital role in our economy, but it’s also a significant contributor to our national emissions,” said Andrew Clennett, chief executive officer of Hiringa.

“As a first-of-its-kind across Australasia and one of the first networks set up globally to service heavy transport, the initiative addresses this major challenge by providing operators with the infrastructure they need to switch to zero-emission transport in an efficient, scalable and commercially viable manner.”

Network infrastructure establishment has received support from the New Zealand Government via a $16 million loan, growth capital from key investors including Sir Stephen Tindall’s fund K1W1, and international investment from Mitsui & Co. and Green Impact Partners alongside Hiringa Energy.

“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,” said Simon Parham, chief executive officer of Waitomo Group.

“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.”

Brendan King, group general manager, TR Group, added, “It has been exciting to be able to enable this groundbreaking initiative by bringing fuel cell truck technology to the New Zealand market.

“The technology unlocks a clean alternative for hard-to-abate sectors that are difficult to electrify, where hydrogen meets the intense demands of handling long distances and heavy loads.”