A Vision for Hydrogen in New Zealand - Green Paper

Green hydrogen has the potential to play a significant role in our energy system and could play an important role in decarbonising parts of our economy.
To assist with the development of the Hydrogen Green Paper, MBIE, assisted by consultants Arup – held four workshops with key stakeholders in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and New Plymouth. The workshops were well attended, with a range of views expressed on the potential for hydrogen in New Zealand. Following the workshops, we incorporated these views into a Hydrogen Green Paper, which was released for public consultation. We sought feedback from the public and wider stakeholders about the challenges and opportunities of building a hydrogen economy in New Zealand, as part of our renewable energy strategy. On 2 September 2019, we released the green paper – “A vision for hydrogen in New Zealand”. Consultation ended on 25 October 2019. The green paper looked at the scope of New Zealand’s hydrogen potential to frame discussions for a national strategy.
The green paper asked 27 questions about the challenges and opportunities, and the Government’s role, in nine key areas:

1. Hydrogen production
2. Hydrogen electricity nexus
3. Hydrogen for mobility
4. Hydrogen for industrial processes
5. Hydrogen for seasonal power generation
6. Decarbonisation of our gas
7. Hydrogen for export
8. Innovation expands job opportunities
9. Transitioning the job market

We received 78 submissions from the public, industry, research institutions and public and private sector organisations.
This green paper, along with the submissions will feed into a wider renewable energy strategy for New Zealand. This will outline the renewable energy pathway to a clean, green carbon neutral for New Zealand by 2050.