A North East green power firm has secured a significant deal to supply its hydrogen-related products in New Zealand.
Sunderland-based Haskel Hydrogen Systems makes and distributes high-pressure pumps, valves and package solutions for a raft of industries around the world, and the increase in demand for hydrogen power has seen demand for its fuelling stations rocket.
Now the firm, which forms part of the US-owned Ingersoll Rand group, has announced a deal with Hiringa Refuelling NZ to supply hydrogen refuelling stations across New Zealand.
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The value of the deal has not been disclosed but is said to be significant, securing jobs and investment at Haskel’s Sunderland site and fuelling international expansion plans.
As well as the supply agreement, Hiringa has issued orders for the first four high-capacity refuelling stations for its nationwide green hydrogen network, to be delivered and commissioned in 2022.
Stephen Learney, global managing director at Haskel, which won the manufacturing award at the recent North East Business Awards, said: “New Zealand is starting to scale up its hydrogen mobility infrastructure, and we are proud to be working with Hiringa in delivering this ambitious roadmap.
“Working in partnership with Hiringa, we will utilise compression, storage and dispensing equipment specifically designed and optimised for the New Zealand network. The partnership leverages on Haskel’s 75 years’ experience and industry leading technology and Hiringa’s business model specifically designed for the local market.”
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Hiringa is the first company in New Zealand dedicated to the supply of green hydrogen, and it has been developing a hydrogen production and refuelling network, to support large-scale refuelling for heavy-duty vehicles with investor partners and funding support from the New Zealand government.
Haskel’s hydrogen compression system provides high capacity fuelling for buses and trucks up to 350-bar working pressure.
Phase one of the development includes the four refuelling stations, selected to provide coverage for the major heavy freight routes in the North Island.
The network is planned to expand into the South Island through 2023, providing full coverage of all New Zealand’s heavy freight routes.
As demand for zero-emission transport grows, over 24 Hiringa high-capacity refuelling stations are expected to come online across New Zealand in the next four to five years.
Hiringa’s chief technology officer Dan Kahn said: “After a competitive selection process in 2019, we’ve been working with Haskel over the past two years to jointly develop a high-capacity, network focused design to meet the demands of the heavy transport industry in New Zealand.
“We are pleased to announce these first orders, and our partnership to ensure successful delivery of New Zealand’s nationwide hydrogen refuelling network.”
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