View of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter from the Bluff coastal walkway.The Energy Transition Programme has been developed to focus on Tiwai certainty, decarbonisation and developing a green hydrogen energy future.

The world’s energy system is changing. Burning fossil fuels to produce electricity, power vehicles and manufacture goods is driving climate change. Governments around the world, including New Zealand’s, have committed to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. These changes are both a challenge and an opportunity.

We have three areas of focus for our Energy Transition Programme:

1. Tiwai Future - Includes closure, clean up, remediation, environmental impact, cultural and leading to future/re-purposing opportunities. Being led through Awarua Rūnaka (remediation/community development) and supported by Hokonui Rūnanga. Read more about Tiwai Point.
2. Green Energy Future - Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku at the centre of a large scale clean energy capability focused around green hydrogen that protects te taiao and supports growth and wellbeing for our region and country. Read more about Hydrogen and Green Energy.
3. Clean Energy Murihiku - Co-ordinating work with Crown agencies around the now finished Just Transitions programme. This work includes a focus on a renewable energy zone, net zero Rakiura, infrastructure development and associated policy work.

Purpose

Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku is at the centre of large scale energy transition that protects te taiao and supports growth and well being for our region and country.

Hydrogen

Learn more about hydrogen as an energy carrier in the video below. What is the hype about? Where is current thinking at? Is it the ‘answer’ to replacing fossil fuels? What’s the difference between ‘grey’, ‘blue’ and ‘green hydrogen’? Find out the answers to these questions - and more…

He Honoka Hauwai - German-NZ Green Hydrogen Centre

He Honoka Hauwai German-NZ Green Hydrogen Centre is a newly created collaboration hosted by the University of Otago and the Institute of Hydrogen Technology Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon. Find out more about this Centre for Research, Networking and Outreach, the inaugural NZ Hydrogen Symposium held in February 2023 at the University of Otago, and also the community-led green hydrogen initiatives ‘team NZ green hydrogen researchers’ from the University of Canterbury and University of Otago are joining forces on, to ensure positive gains for tamariki and rangatahi across Ngāi Tahu rohe, including targeted activities with Murihiku Regeneration.

Hydrogen Collaboration

Researchers from the University of Canterbury (UC) and the University of Otago are joining forces with community-led green hydrogen initiatives to ensure positive gains for tamariki and rangatahi. The intention is that these projects will engage rangatahi across Ngāi Tahu rohe, including targeted activities with Murihiku Regeneration.

Watch the video below to find out more about hydrogen and the latest research …