The New Zealand Government’s Māori Development Fund has awarded Halcyon Power – a joint venture between Obayashi Corporation and the Māori-led Tūaropaki Trust – NZ$865,000 to support renewable hydrogen exports.
“Prosperity does not stop at a business balance sheet. It means whānau in skilled work, local suppliers winning contracts, stronger regions and Māori [exports],” Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said on 4 September.
Halcyon Energy has produced renewable hydrogen at a 1.25MW, geothermal-fuelled plant near Taupo since 2021. It supports a local hydrogen refuelling station and dual-fired generators in New Zealand and Fiji.
Fiji Gas has burned a blended mix of diesel and Halcyon hydrogen at a generator in Lautoka since November 2024. The company wants its generator – which Obayashi Corporation helped develop – to stimulate demand for hydrogen in Fiji and the wider Pacific region, it said at the time.
“[Fiji Gas’ dual-fired] generator at the Lautoka Depot is a trial run, helping us learn what works and what needs to improve before we adopt this technology on a larger scale,” Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica said in December 2024.
“[The project] will help us understand the infrastructure and policies we need to support hydrogen use, making it easier for us to adopt this clean energy technology on a larger scale,” Kamikamica added.
Japan’s Ministry for the Environment backed Fiji Gas’ demonstration plant through its Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) in 2022, according to Obayashi Corporation. The agency supports decarbonisation projects in developing nations with up to 50% co-funding through the JCM.
Four Japanese businesses – Obayashi Corporation, Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and Chiyoda Corporation – have also formed a consortium to support increased renewable hydrogen trade between New Zealand and Japan. The consortium plans to study options to commercialise renewable hydrogen production in New Zealand, it said on 5 March 2026.
“Imports of green hydrogen from New Zealand … are … expected to make a significant contribution to advancing Japan’s decarbonization and strengthening its energy security,” the consortium added.
By Avinash Govind