Hydrogen is poised to fulfil it’s potential as a clean alternative to hydrocarbons in the global pursuit of decarbonisation to address climate change.

New Zealand is one of several countries investigating the most appropriate applications and transition pathway for hydrogen within their energy system and economy, making best use of their existing natural, social, cultural, human and financial resources.

This document presents the New Zealand Government’s vision to harness the hydrogen opportunity for a sustainable and resilient energy future for New Zealand.

It is envisaged that in combination, hydrogen and electricity could provide a robust energy system platform for the delivery of deep decarbonisation of our energy and transport.

There are many potential areas of application including seasonal electricity storage for winter peak demands in electricity generation, decentralised energy generation for remote and isolated users, decarbonised gas, intermediate and high temperature industrial process heat, green industrial chemical feedstocks, and transport and mobility applications such as for freight, materials handling, return to base fleet transport, shared mobility and public transport.

While hydrogen produced from fossil fuels and industrial processes (brown, blue and grey) may play a role in the transition of New Zealand’s regions and existing industries, the Government considers there is greater opportunity for New Zealand in exploring the use of our renewable energy to produce green hydrogen as an alternative fuel for domestic use and for export.