News & blog hub

In Fife, Scotland, a pioneering initiative in home energy is taking place, and it’s something we here at Clarus, through our Firstgas team, are watching closely.

Clarus is one of New Zealand’s largest energy groups, powering nearly half a million homes and businesses nationwide. The companies within the Clarus group play a crucial role across the energy spectrum, covering transmission, distribution, supply, and storage, to keep energy flowing to communities across Aotearoa.

We’re excited to share some fantastic news – our very own James Irvine, General Manager – Future Fuels, has been named a finalist for the 2025 Young Energy Professional of the Year at the prestigious New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards!

This year, Rockgas, part of Clarus, celebrates its fifth Bottled Gas Award win and back-to-back titles, taking home Canstar’s award on the back of a very impressive set of ratings from its many happy customers.

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.

The Tauhei Solar Farm project is proud to support Te Miro Mountain Bike Club with the installation of a new solar panel system for the club’s trail maintenance hub. Located near Morrinsville, the club is a volunteer-run organisation dedicated to building and maintaining an extensive network of trails for riders of all skill levels.

Demark is making great strides in green energy, with 45% of its energy consumption in 2022 coming from renewables. The country is continuing to invest in renewable energy facilities, and an expansion is underway that will give its biogas sector a huge boost.

Firstlight Network is dedicated not only to keeping the power on but also to fostering social connectedness—whether it’s with whānau and friends at home or in the wider community. That’s why we’re proud to support House of Science, bringing their innovative programme to the East Coast, including Gisborne and Wairoa.

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.

Biogas is a renewable energy source that comes from organic waste. Almost any organic waste product, from food scraps to crops to human sewage, can be turned into biogas. It doesn’t create any additional greenhouse gas emissions, making it a net zero emissions gas.

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.

Construction on New Zealand’s largest solar farm project officially began today at Te Aroha in Waikato, marking a significant milestone for the country’s renewable energy future.

First Renewables, part of Clarus and Harmony Energy held a special Karakia ceremony early on Monday morning, 10 March 2025. Performed by Norm Hill, representing Ngāti Rāhiri Tumutumu and Ngāti Hauā as mana whenua, the ceremony took place to ensure the site culturally safe before ground works commenced.

As we approach International Women's Day on March 8, we are reminded of the incredible strides wāhine have made in Aotearoa from gaining the right to vote in 1893 to having our first female Prime Minister in 1997. The talent amongst our wāhine spans across all disciplines, including sports, arts, culture, and beyond.