Momentum is building behind the development of potentially the world’s largest green hydrogen production plant in Southland. Tonkin + Taylor is proud to be providing early-stage planning, permitting and consenting expertise to help make the project a reality.
Southern Green Hydrogen is a joint project between Meridian Energy and Contact Energy to evaluate the opportunity to produce green hydrogen in Southland, New Zealand. The production of scalable green hydrogen is a crucial move towards emissions reduction, reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, and a transition towards a net zero-carbon New Zealand. The project brings a tremendous amount of potential, with the opportunity to kickstart Aotearoa’s hydrogen economy, and foster job creation and regional development in the process.
Tonkin + Taylor is assisting with the early-stage planning, permitting, and consenting requirements of the project.
A project of this scale and nature requires clever thinking and innovative solutions. Tonkin + Taylor is well-equipped to tackle the challenge, with a strong track record of progressing transformational energy projects through planning, permitting, and consenting and into construction.
“Permitting and consenting for the large-scale production and export of green hydrogen or green ammonia in Southland will bring challenges across a full range of regional and land use permitting and consenting,” says Jennifer Carvill, Tonkin + Taylor Technical Director – Planning.
“Tonkin + Taylor brings extensive experience with permitting and consenting complex infrastructure, industrial and coastal projects to the project team – we look forward to applying this experience to a project with amazing potential to contribute to decarbonising Aotearoa’s energy future.”
Meridian Energy Chief Executive Neal Barclay says the Southern Green Hydrogen project presents significant planning challenges because of its scale and the new technology it involves.
“This is one of the largest and most complex energy projects ever contemplated in New Zealand. It’s taking us into new territory and that means environmental planning, permitting and consenting is a critical success factor. We’re grateful to have Tonkin and Taylor’s experience and expertise on the team,” he says.
Glen Nicholson, Tonkin + Taylor Group Sector Director for Energy and Industry is looking forward to being involved in a pivotal project for New Zealand’s renewable energy journey.
“Tonkin + Taylor is excited to be part of the Southern Green Hydrogen project and the future of renewable energy in New Zealand. We have the capability here in NZ to provide truly green hydrogen for not just the country, but internationally as well. The Southern Green Hydrogen project will help further market, diversify, and strengthen our energy options. It’s great to see the leadership shown by the joint venture in pursuing green hydrogen and the future it holds for all New Zealanders.”
