News & blog hub

Clarus is committed to pursuing clean energy solutions to help New Zealand reach net zero carbon by 2050. This hub provides information, updates and our latest developments as we look to the future of renewable gas.

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First Renewables biogas upgrade facility Hero forweb

Renewable gas flows in New Zealand pipeline for the first time

Clarus business, First Renewables Biogas upgrade facility transforms kerbside food waste into biomethane, a renewable substitute for natural gas. Located at Ecogas’ Organics Processing Facility in Reporoa, it’s the first facility of its kind in New Zealand and marks a significant milestone in New Zealand’s journey towards a sustainable, low-carbon energy future! 

83 results found here
  • George Drysdale plusFNsign sml v2
    • Media releases

    Firstlight Network supports energy saving coaching service in Wairoa

    Firstlight Network is excited to be a part of bringing EnergyMate to Wairoa and helping households better understand their energy use and find ways to save.

  • Two Firstgas people Firstgas station and FG car in background lowres
    • Blog

    Reliable, safe and secure: how we’re managing our assets

    Here at Firstgas, it’s our job to operate more than 2,500km of gas transmission pipelines and nearly 5,000km of gas distribution pipelines. Together, they provide gas to over 67,000 customers throughout the North Island.

  • First Renewables biogas upgrade facility Hero forweb
    • Media releases

    Renewable gas flows in New Zealand pipeline for the first time

    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.

  • hot tap bypass HERO
    • Natural gas
    • Blog

    Firstgas keeping the heat on in Te Puke after Cyclone Gabrielle

    In 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle hit New Zealand, causing billions of dollars in damage across the country and more than 140,000 landslides.

  • iStock 1419308226
    • Natural gas
    • Blog

    Global demand for gas just keeps growing

    Gas storage and flexibility is vital to support the generation of renewable electricity, particularly in the winter months, over peak demand periods, and is becoming more important with the addition of new variable wind and solar generation capacity.

  • iStock 1426839716
    • Renewable Energy
    • Blog

    From food scraps to renewable energy – how does it work?

    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.

  • Millie paralympics1 lowres
    • Blog

    Helping Milly’s journey to the 2028 Paralympics

    Milly Marshall Kirkwood is a remarkable young woman with a burning desire to become a world champion in seated discus and shot put and compete in the 2028 Paralympics. Through the Firstgas Community Fund we are proud to support Milly to help fulfil her dream.

  • 20220815 101921
    • Natural gas
    • Blog

    SELMA technology helping to protect the Firstgas distribution network

    Firstgas, a Clarus company, is working with Omexon to better detect possible methane (natural gas) leaks early, on the Firstgas distribution network, using Street Evaluating Laser Methane Assessment (SELMA) vehicles.

  • STR 3729 E HERO
    • Media releases

    Resilience and community connectedness at the heart of Firstlight Network

    When George Drysdale turned up at Firstlight Network in early 2024 to take up the role of Manager, he was immediately impressed with the unique connection the electricity distribution network had with the Gisborne, Tairawhiti and Wairoa communities. 

  • Hydrogen Blending Pilot LOWRES
    • Media releases

    Key milestone reached in NZ’s first hydrogen blending project

    Firstgas is one step closer to commencing New Zealand’s first Hydrogen Blending Pilot with WorkSafe granting two exemptions to Firstgas to enable the project to move forward.

  • Family cooking pancakes on gas hob lowres
    • renewable gas
    • Blog

    Cooking with renewable gas in the 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.

  • Inside ZEVAC for web
    • Blog

    ZEVAC technology helping reduce carbon emissions

    As part of Clarus' ongoing work to reduce our carbon emissions, two ZEVAC machines are used by our Firstgas transmission and distribution teams to capture gas, compress it and then recycle it back into the pipeline which is estimated to save up to 35 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.

  • Arial view of Ahuroa
    • Hydogen
    • Blog

    Energy storage – the essential ingredient to electrification

    James Irvine our GM Future Fuels explains why energy storage is the essential ingredient to electrification, and how hydrogen is the most cost-effective solution for long-term energy storage to support growing renewable generation.

  • James Irvine

    James Irvine: Focused on the toughest emissions problems

    What brings an international leader in renewable energy to move from Europe to New Plymouth? For James Irvine and his family, it was a combination of an appealing job offer, the opportunity to meaningfully fight climate change, and the fabulous Taranaki lifestyle.

  • iStock 1396824161 resize
    • Biomethane
    • Blog

    Europe's big push for reliable, popular energy

    The European Union is pushing hard to increase its production of biomethane – but why the urgency? And why is biomethane the right choice to help tackle the problem?

  • Novo Cube Insitu 2 updated lowres
    • Blog

    Gas fires: the timeless appeal of flames with modern control and convenience

    Warmth, light, and beautiful aesthetics – humans have been gathering around fires for over a million years. Despite all the alternatives, we’re still choosing to install fires in our newest homes to this day.