Future Fuels

Clarus supports Powering Change, an industry-led platform that brings together clear, accessible information on how New Zealand, Aotearoa’s energy transition is progressing.

Firstgas, part of Clarus, together with GasNet, Nova Energy, Powerco, and Vector, has reached a key milestone in New Zealand’s first hydrogen blending pilot. Fourteen households in Te Horo, on the Kāpiti Coast, are now receiving a gas blend containing 10% hydrogen by volume, delivered through the existing gas distribution network.

Here at Clarus, we are committed to emissions reduction. While we have some projects underway that will help reduce New Zealand’s energy emissions in the future, such as the Tauhei solar farm project, flowing biomethane, a form of renewable gas, to the Firstgas pipeline and piloting hydrogen blending.

Following the rapid decline in the availability of gas for electricity generation, a group of major New Zealand energy companies have collaborated to explore the option to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) and assessed the role LNG could play to meet New Zealand’s future gas demand.

Clarus is a company that is focused on doing right by our environment, our people and our communities. You can read about our hard work to improve our tiaki taiao or care for the environment in our newly published 2024 Sustainability Report.

Energy sector leaders have come together to officially kick start the Energy Transition Framework, a landmark commitment to working collectively – and urgently – to ensure our energy system remains secure, affordable, and supports a high-growth economy as it transforms.

New Zealand is rich in renewable energy, but managing supply — especially during peak demand periods — remains a challenge. Fortunately, there’s a local solution that’s already gaining traction: biogas made from food and agricultural waste. By embracing a circular economy, where organic waste is recycled into energy and fertiliser, we can strengthen our electricity and gas grids, reduce emissions, and build long-term resilience — all while turning waste into value.

Firstgas is getting closer to commencing New Zealand’s first Hydrogen blending pilot, with support from its partners Vector, Powerco, Nova Energy and GasNet. We plan to blend a small amount of hydrogen, a type of renewable gas, with natural gas into the existing natural gas pipeline in Te Horo.

What’s the future for gas in New Zealand? We’ve all come to rely on it for cooking, heating and processing, in our homes, restaurants and industries – but recently there have been concerns there is a shortage of natural gas.

First Renewables, is thrilled to confirm that renewable gas is now flowing through a Firstgas pipeline for the first time, marking a pivotal moment not only for the gas industry but for New Zealand’s journey towards a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.

It’s a confusing time for energy consumers, especially those using gas. There are some opinions out there that New Zealand needs to go 100% electric and that for various reasons our gas supplies are dwindling. However, gas remains critical to supporting our country’s variable renewable electricity supply.

How do you turn kumara peel and banana skins into renewable energy and bio fertiliser? Here’s how kerbside food waste is collected in Auckland, processed at Ecogas’ organics processing facility in Reporoa, and then turned into renewable gas once processed through First Renewables biogas upgrade facility at the same site.

As we’re seeing more frequently these days, climate change affects us all. Which makes it even more vital that we act now to transition to renewable energy sources.

Clarus (formally Firstgas Group) welcomes James Irvine, General Manager Future Fuels, who will lead a newly established and dedicated Future Fuels Team in the development and implementation of Clarus (formally Firstgas Group) renewable energy strategy.

As Kiwis, we love the benefits gas brings. Think instant heat, endless hot water, and cooking with a flame. Based in the energy-rich region of Taranaki, Firstgas connects over 300,000 homes and 19,000 businesses and industries, to gas.