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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Harmony Energy and First Renewables JV successfully complete financial close on New Zealand’s largest solar farm

Harmony Energy Limited and Clarus company, First Renewables Limited have approved the final investment for the Tauhei Solar Farm project and successfully completed financial close, with construction set to begin this year. 

Harmony Energy New Zealand Managing Director Garth Elmes said: “We are excited to have reached this significant milestone, with all major contracts, financing, consents and regulatory approvals now in place. We will now start construction on New Zealand’s largest solar farm, marking a significant milestone for the nation in its pursuit of providing cleaner, home-grown energy.” 

91 results found here
  • Bulls and Firstgas banner
    • Media releases
    • May 21, 2024

    Urenui and Firstgas to host historic Yarrows Taranaki Bulls preseason match

    Urenui is set to host a blockbuster Yarrows Taranaki Bulls Bunnings NPC preseason match in partnership with energy company Firstgas.

  • Hiringa officially open H2 refuelling station V2
    • hydrogen
    • Blog
    • May 21, 2024

    Hiringa’s first hydrogen refuelling station opens

    Kiwi company Hiringa has opened the first hydrogen refuelling station in New Zealand – the start of an Australasian-first hydrogen network. Located in Wiri, South Auckland, the hydrogen station is one of three Auckland sites now operational, with another 21 sites in development across Aotearoa.

  • iStock 1525912889 V2
    • Renewable Energy
    • Blog
    • May 21, 2024

    What’s been happening in the world of renewable gas

    What’s been happening in the world of renewable energy? We check out exciting news and developments from across the globe, as we work hard to fight climate change and create a low-emissions future for our world.

  • 8605964206 0c5fdfc708 k
    • hydrogen
    • Green Hydrogen
    • Blog
    • Apr 29, 2024

    Wellington Airport trialling green hydrogen to power service vehicles

    Wellington Airport, Hiringa Energy, Air New Zealand and Toyota New Zealand have worked together to conduct a trial at the Wellington airport to test how viable green hydrogen could be to power service vehicles on the ground.

  • iStock 1281948451 Lowpes
    • Solar
    • Media releases
    • Apr 23, 2024

    Just how big will the Tauhei Solar Farm be?

    This year, construction is expected to start on the Tauhei Solar Farm, a joint venture between First Renewables (a Clarus company) and Harmony Energy. Located in Te Aroha, the Tauhei Solar Farm at the time of commissioning, is anticipated to be New Zealand’s largest solar farm at 200 megawatts.

  • Hyhome outside clrus
    • hydrogen
    • Blog
    • Apr 16, 2024

    Australia’s game-changing hydrogen home leads the way

    Could your home run on green hydrogen in the future? The HyHome in Australia is demonstrating exactly how well hydrogen could work as the energy source for home heating, cooking, and hot water.

  • Bone Carvings artist Ormsby2
    • Blog
    • Apr 9, 2024

    Mokau abuzz hosting the Firstgas Bone Carving Symposium

    This Easter, Mokau was abuzz as the largest gathering of bone carvers in the country came together for the Firstgas Bone Carving Symposium 2024.

  • Offshore wind study turbines1 v2
    • Mar 20, 2024

    New study says the development of an offshore wind energy industry in Aotearoa will play a critical role in helping the country decarbonise.

    The study examined the economic, social, and environmental impacts of a national offshore wind energy industry.

  • Upgrade facility site March24
    • Biogas
    • Blog
    • Mar 20, 2024

    Tim Lepper: Delivering a NZ first renewable gas upgrade project

    Clarus company, First Renewables is close to completing work on an exciting New Zealand-first renewable gas project that will turn food scraps into biomethane.

  • iStock 1344124162 resized
    • Renewable Energy
    • Blog
    • Mar 11, 2024

    Renewables round-up

    What’s been happening in the world of renewable energy? We check out exciting news and developments from across the globe.

  • Biogas digesters v2
    • Mar 5, 2024

    New report on the vision of biogas for New Zealand

    An independent report looks at the potential for biogas to reduce Aotearoa New Zealand’s emissions and increase renewable energy.

  • Airbus ZEROe 6 pods concept plane resized
    • hydrogen
    • Blog
    • Mar 4, 2024

    NZ aviation gears up for hydrogen flights

    Could Kiwi travellers one day be jetting around the country in planes fuelled by green hydrogen? That’s the plan, according to the New Zealand Hydrogen Aviation Consortium, a group of forward-thinking aviation industry businesses formed in late 2023.

  • Solar panels with sheep in Belgium
    • Solar
    • Blog
    • Feb 29, 2024

    Why we’re excited about solar energy

    First Renewables, a Clarus company and Harmony Energy announced early in 2024 that they will develop and own Tauhei Solar Farm. At the time of commissioning in 2026, it is expected to be New Zealand’s largest solar generation site.

  • Cooking with gas chef and gas hob for web small
    • Feb 29, 2024

    A green hydrogen path to clean energy for Australia

    Safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable – that’s the dream for renewable energy. Green hydrogen can help to deliver that dream for Australia, according to new research by the Australian Hydrogen Centre.

  • 3045878 resized
    • Media releases
    • Feb 22, 2024

    Firstlight Network team are local superheroes

    A year on from Cyclone Gabrielle. The Gisborne District Council held the Tairāwhiti Superhero Awards. These awards recognised individuals and organisations who went above and beyond to support their communities during the cyclone and its devastating aftermath.

  • cop 28 hero
    • Renewable Energy
    • Blog
    • Jan 30, 2024

    Landmark Deal signed at Cop28

    Nearly 200 nations, including New Zealand, signed a landmark agreement at the recent Cop28 climate summit in Dubai. It took two weeks of tough negotiation, but the deal finally passed on 13 December, when it was met with applause from those in attendance.