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PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Construction of 4 new wind turbines. Wind turbines reach a height of 206m to tip and 125m to the hub.
Improved regional economic diversity, resilience and local job opportunities.
Producing up to ~2000kg/day of zero emission green hydrogen from renewable energy.
Contributes to the progressive decarbonisation of industry in New Zealand.
Renewable electricity to support Hiringa Energy and Ballance’s operations and supply Nova Energy’s network.
PROJECT LOCATION
The turbines will be situated on Parininihi ki Waitōtara (PKW) land in South Taranaki.
The electrolyser will be located near the Ballance plant.
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Kapuni,
Taranaki
THE PROJECT
Kapuni is a landmark renewable energy and green hydrogen project in Aotearoa.
It involves the construction of four new wind turbines with the ability to provide renewable electricity up to 24,000 homes during peak times.
The turbines will supply renewable electricity to Ballance's Kapuni site, enable green hydrogen production for emissions-free transport and to augment some of the natural gas feedstock used to manufacture lower carbon fertiliser, and electricity to the grid.
Hiringa Energy is the developer and operator of the project on behalf of the project partners; Hiringa Energy, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Todd, Parininihi ki Waitōtara (PKW) and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
PROJECT BENEFITS
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THIS PIONEERING PROJECT WILL BENEFIT OUR REGION, COMMUNITY AND OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO COME.
INCREASED RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION
Four 6.4 MW turbines will be installed, with a combined installed capacity of 25.6 MW. These will generate approximately 100 GWh of renewable energy per year, the equivalent electricity to power approximately more than the New Plymouth urban area.
A 5 MW capacity hydrogen electrolyser will also be installed to integrate with the wind farm and the Ballance Kapuni plant. The electrolyser will use the renewable electricity to split water (H20) into oxygen and hydrogen to produce up to two tonnes of green hydrogen per day. The green hydrogen production can be scaled up or down, in line with market growth and demand. It plays a key role in decarbonising Aotearoa’s transport and industrial sectors.
SUPPORT FOR A LOW CARBON HEAVY VEHICLE FLEET
The green hydrogen produced can support Hiringa Energy’s national green hydrogen refuelling network, which has stations in Wiri (South Auckland), Te Rapa (Hamilton), Palmerston North and Tauriko (Tauranga). This project will provide a pathway for Taranaki-based refuelling in the future.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The project will provide direct employment during construction, commissioning and operations. It will provide skill development in renewable and zero emission technologies that will be essential for Aotearoa to decarbonise. Local contractors will be used wherever possible.
The supply of renewable electricity and green hydrogen provides the foundation for the development of spin-off industries and companies.
The project represents a pathway to retain highly skilled technical jobs in the region required to support broader decarbonisation in Aotearoa.
IMPROVED REGIONAL ECONOMIC DIVERSITY AND RESILIENCE
The project represents the Taranaki region’s first green hydrogen production, and the largest green hydrogen production capacity in Aotearoa. This flexible supply of green hydrogen is an identified element of the Taranaki Economic Development Strategy, Tapuae Roa, in particular the Energy Futures pillar. The availability of supply will catalyse the regional piloting and adoption of green hydrogen in agriculture, energy and transport, enabling another important tool in the energy transition toolkit.
The project is also adding local sovereign energy generation that will enhance the energy security profile in Aotearoa.
INVESTMENT SIGNAL EFFECTS
The project signals that Taranaki is a dynamic, adaptive, and forward-thinking regional economy, which may encourage other regional businesses to also invest and develop new innovative clean products and projects.
WHY IS THE PROJECT IMPORTANT?
The Kapuni Project is important because it advances New Zealand's energy transition by delivering renewable energy
and low-emissions technologies, strengthens regional economies and supports long-term community wellbeing.
It is the first project in Aotearoa to integrate wind, industrial electricity supply and green hydrogen production at scale, with the ability to decarbonise multiple sectors simultaneously; namely transport, energy, industry and agriculture. These sectors are difficult to decarbonise with alternative technologies.
The project will enhance the overall renewable energy supply in Aotearoa and support decarbonisation across the wider energy system.
Green hydrogen is central to the project’s long‑term value.
The project represents the Taranaki region’s first green hydrogen production, and the largest green hydrogen production capacity in Aotearoa. It will catalyse the piloting and adoption of green hydrogen in agriculture, energy and transport, enabling another important tool in the energy transition toolkit.
PROJECT TIMELINE
Apr 2018
Project initiated with
feasibility assessment.
Dec 2019
Introduction of project to Ngāruahine Board.
Conditional approval for NZ Government investment in project.
Jan 2020
Independent studies commenced to support consent process.
Feb 2021
Ministerial approval
for fast track consent process.
Dec 2021
Consent granted.
Q1 2026
Siteworks & construction
scheduled to
begin.
Q4 2026
Turbine components arrive on site & erection begins.
2027
Turbines functional. Green hydrogen available.
June 2019
Wind monitoring begins.