New Zealand-based Hiringa Energy has reached financial close for its renewable energy and green hydrogen project in New Zealand.
The Kapuni project is the first in New Zealand to integrate wind, industrial renewable electricity supply, and green hydrogen production at scale.
This integrated system enables the project to decarbonise multiple sectors simultaneously, including transport, energy, industry and agriculture.
The project will support the energy transition of New Zealand by creating local employment opportunities during construction, commissioning, and ongoing operations, while also enhancing the energy security of the country.
The project utilises South Taranaki’s wind resources to generate renewable electricity through four 6.4-megawatt wind turbines, providing a combined installed capacity of 25.6 MW.
The wind farm is expected to generate 100 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity per year, equivalent to powering around 24,000 homes.
Hiringa Energy Co-Founder and Chair Catherine Clennett said reaching financial close for Kapuni is a major milestone for New Zealand’s energy sector. .
“Kapuni is not just a wind farm – it’s a collaborative and integrated energy project that demonstrates how strong partnerships between industry, Māori and government can drive innovation, economic opportunity and a successful energy transition.
“It shows how we can decarbonise industry, strengthen regional economies, and build new low-emissions energy systems that generate long-term regional value through local construction, operations and supply chain opportunities for communities and for Aotearoa.”
The renewable electricity generated at Kapuni can be used to produce green hydrogen for emissions-free transport via Hiringa Energy’s refuelling operations.
Kapuni will have a 5 MW capacity hydrogen electrolyser integrated with the wind farm and the Ballance Kapuni plant.
The electrolyser will split water into oxygen and hydrogen to produce up to two tonnes of green hydrogen per day. Green hydrogen production can be scaled up or down, in line with market growth and demand.
In turn, the green hydrogen produced at Kapuni can be supplied to Ballance’s Kapuni plant to augment some of the natural gas feedstock to produce low emission ammonia and urea.
Additionally, green hydrogen produced can support Hiringa Energy’s national green hydrogen refuelling network.
Preliminary construction activities will commence in February, with the first stage focused on civil enabling work for the wind turbines.
The project is expected to start generating renewable electricity and green hydrogen in 2027.