Taranaki leading the “Just Transition” and aiming to become southern hemisphere’s renewable energy hub

Taranaki is set to sit around the table with global energy leaders as the region looks to ramp up its involvement in a sector already worth billions around the globe.

NPDC Councillor Stacey Hitchcock, will join an industry research investigation to look into hydrogen energy possibilities as Taranaki gets set to lead the way towards a lower-carbon future as part of the ‘Just Transition’, in the wake of the Government ending offshore oil and gas exploration.

“We could join global leaders and develop an industry for New Zealand that is already worth billions around the globe.* The investigation will explore the possibility of New Plymouth becoming a World Cities Energy Partner, help develop a hydrogen roadmap for New Zealand, look at creating a civic MOU with Aberdeen and developing other sustainable energy options,” says New Plymouth District Councillor Hitchcock.

“The Scottish city is acknowledged as a renewable energy hub of the Northern Hemisphere and Taranaki, with a proud 70-year history in the oil and gas industry, has the skills, knowledge and workplace to become the Southern Hemisphere equivalent. This project will help us to develop a hydrogen roadmap, one of many strategic opportunities identified in our Tapuae Roa economic development plan launched earlier this year,” she says.

The research investigation will take in several major energy conferences, discussions with civic leaders and commercial hydrogen operators.

Just this week cars powered by hydrogen are being tested in Queensland for brands such as Toyota and Hyundai.

*Source: Hydrogen Council, 2017.

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