Energy is changing, and Clarus is right behind the transition. You’re in the right place if you want to know how one of the country’s largest energy groups is innovating, investing in and implementing renewable gas and solar technology to help us move to a lower emission energy system.
Future of energy
Proudly powering Kiwis, now and into the future.
New Zealand’s largest solar farm is coming.
In January 2024, Harmony Energy Limited, a global renewable energy infrastructure developer, partnered with First Renewables Limited in a joint venture to develop and own the Tauhei Solar Farm. One year on, Harmony Energy Limited and 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. At the time of commissioning in late 2026, it is expected to be New Zealand’s largest solar farm at 202 MWp, constructed on 182 hectares near Te Aroha in the North Island. The solar farm will generate 280 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, which is enough renewable electricity to supply the equivalent of approximately 35,000 New Zealand homes.
We’re proud to power our regions and keep Kiwi lives and businesses energised, now and into the future.
We’re proud to power our regions and keep Kiwi lives and businesses energised, now and into the future.
Renewable gas is now flowing
Thousands of kiwis love the benefits and overall efficiency gas provides; from instant heat and precision cooking, to endless hot water and a toasty warm home. To ensure this continues, Clarus company First Renewables has partnered with Ecogas on New Zealand’s first plant to be able to upgrade biogas into biomethane, a renewable gas.
The new facility has already started transforming food waste into biomethane. Our initial estimates show this facility alone can supply enough renewable gas to power up to 7,200 homes, while also reducing CO₂ emissions by 11,000 tonnes per year*, and because it’s chemically identical to natural gas, there are no changes required for gas users or their appliances.
*7,200 houses at an average residential gas demand of 22GJ p.a. = 160TJ p.a. (estimated annual biomethane injected at Broadlands).
Hydrogen blending to be piloted.
Hydrogen is a cleaner alternative to natural gas. It can be produced by electrolysis, which is the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. If the electricity is generated using renewable resources like wind and solar, then the process creates no new carbon emissions, and the hydrogen produced is ‘green’ hydrogen. That’s why we’re working on a project to blend a small amount of hydrogen with natural gas in our Firstgas pipeline network.
Energy is what we do, but it’s people we do it for.
This could not be more relevant given the extreme circumstances our Firstlight Network team has powered through over the past two years to keep their communities connected. As the lines company for Tairāwhiti and Wairoa, Firstlight Network’s Community Connectedness Programme is about not only keeping the power on and restoring it when the lights go out, but strengthening connectedness with people and the environment, and working with other regional stakeholders on energy initiatives that can help balance supply security, enable decarbonisation and maintain energy affordability now and into the future.
Related articles
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.
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.
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.
Ahuroa gas storage upgrade completed successfully
Clarus business, Flexgas completed an upgrade to its Ahuroa gas storage facility in Taranaki in October 2020. The upgrade provides greater flexibility and security of gas supply, which supports New Zealand’s growing renewable electricity generation fleet.
Harmony Energy and First Renewables announce joint venture for the development of New Zealand's largest Solar farm
Global renewable energy infrastructure developer, Harmony Energy Limited has entered a joint venture with First Renewables Limited, part of New Zealand energy group Clarus (formerly Firstgas Group), to develop and own Tauhei Solar Farm.
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.
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.
Opinion piece: Gas is here to stay
It’s a confusing time for energy consumers, especially those using gas. We are told on the one hand that our country needs to go 100% electric and that our gas supplies are dwindling. Yet gas remains critical to supporting our country’s variable renewable electricity generation sources – a point that was made crystal clear with the threat of power shortages on the coldest day of the year so far.
New e-bike scheme at Clarus is creating good energy on the ride to work
Over the past couple of months Clarus has seen a steady number of its employees ditch their cars on some days, and instead opt for an e-bike as their transport of choice to get them to the office. The latest initiative that has the Clarus team buzzing with excitement is the adoption of Workride, a scheme designed to foster healthier commuting habits among employees.
Firstlight Network keeps communities connected
It’s been an incredibly busy 18 months the Firstlight Network team as they weathered multiple severe weather events in 2023, carried on business as usual, and were welcomed into the Clarus team – changing their name and embedding new systems along the way.