Through ongoing research and industry engagement, we're evaluating the potential of renewable gases such as biomethane and hydrogen, and what their future use could mean for our networks and customers.
The future of gas
Clarus believes renewable gas has a big part to play in New Zealand’s energy future and we're right behind it.
Sourced: Clarus
At Clarus, we're focused on understanding the role renewable gases could play in New Zealand's evolving energy landscape.
iStock image of arial view of biogas plant and anaerobic digesters
A future with renewable gas
Work is already underway to introduce renewable gas into New Zealand homes and businesses, alongside a clear pathway for biomethane. In 2026, the Biomethane Strategy and Action Plan was delivered, outlining how renewable gas could supply significant volumes by 2035 and meet up to half of New Zealand’s gas demand by 2050.
Achieving this will require strong collaboration between government and industry, targeted investment, supportive policy, and better use of organic resources to produce biomethane.
Explore the full Biomethane Strategy and Action Plan and supporting reports to learn more:
Biomethane Strategy and Action Plan: Summary Document
Biomethane Strategy and Action Plan: Evidence Base, Framework and Analysis
Sense Partners economic analysis: Systemwide effects of biomethane production in NZ
Renewable gas explained
Renewable gas explained
When we talk about renewable gas and our renewable gas projects, you may hear a range of industry terms. Watch our video to learn what these key terms mean and how they relate to our renewable gas projects.
Sourced: iStock
Renewable Gas
Renewable gas is widely used to describe gases that do not produce additional GHG emissions when combusted. There are two primary forms of renewable gas: Renewable hydrogen or green hydrogen and Biomethane. Generally, renewable gases (or some form of blended renewable gases) can be relatively easily stored in large volumes within existing gas networks.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen (H2) is the most abundant element in the universe. When used, hydrogen does not release any carbon or other greenhouse gas emissions.
Hydrogen gas can be used as a substitute for natural gas in various industrial uses, including for heating, power production and as feedstock.
Renewable hydrogen or green hydrogen is produced by using renewable electricity to separate hydrogen from water. Learn more about green hydrogen here.
Sourced: iStock
Biomethane
We define biomethane consistently with GasNZ*, being methane produced from renewable sources like digested organic waste and gasified biomass. It has the same chemical make up as natural gas. It is a less emissions intensive form of methane - produced by further processing or “scrubbing” of biogas. In New Zealand, biomethane is biogas that has been upgraded to meet the pipeline gas specification (NZS5442 in New Zealand).
Biogas
A renewable energy source containing a mixture of gases, primarily methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide. It can be produced from raw materials such as manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste, wastewater, and food waste.
*GasNZ provides a single and consistent voice for all gas fuels. GasNZ members have interests in natural gas, LPG, biogas and hydrogen gas, and represents all parts of the gas chain.
Ecogas Reporoa Organics Processing Facility
How Clarus is using biogas
First Renewables and Ecogas are converting food waste into biomethane, a renewable gas supplied through the Firstgas network. The Reporoa facility has the potential to power up to 7,200 homes annually*, while reducing emissions and creating valuable by-products that support soil health and a more circular, sustainable future for New Zealand.
Sourced: Te Horo Hydrogen
New Zealand’s first hydrogen blending pilot
Hydrogen is a cleaner alternative to natural gas. It can be produced by electrolysis, which uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. When that electricity comes from renewable resources like wind or solar, the process creates no new carbon emissions, and the hydrogen produced is known as “green” hydrogen.
Firstgas, part of Clarus, has completed New Zealand’s first hydrogen blending pilot, together with its partners Vector, Powerco, Nova Energy and GasNet. Over 16 weeks from June to October 2025, fourteen pioneering households in Te Horo, on the Kāpiti Coast, received a gas blend starting at 3.5% hydrogen up to 12% by volume, (which translates to 3% energy delivered), through the existing gas distribution network.
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