Meridian, with the support of Ngāi Tahu, have selected Woodside Energy (Woodside) as the preferred partner to move forward to the development stage of the proposed Southern Green Hydrogen (SGH) project in New Zealand. A final investment decision will follow the development stage.

Woodside was selected after an extensive competitive bidding process based on its capability and experience in operations, process safety, and liquids marketing. 

Meridian Chief Executive Neal Barclay said: “We’re very pleased to be partnering with Woodside which, like us, is focussed on progressing a world-class hydrogen and ammonia facility in Southland, New Zealand, that will provide significant benefits to the local community. In addition to its operational and marketing expertise, Woodside has demonstrated climate change ambitions, and as we are a 100 percent renewable energy company and committed to sustainability, that was a key focus for us in selecting a partner.” 

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui) is also in discussions to join the project and develop the potential market for ammonia offtake, with the aim of creating a world-class collaboration that covers the full hydrogen and ammonia supply chain. Mitsui has 50 years of experience in the ammonia business, including the largest share of ammonia imports into Japan.

Subject to finalising commercial arrangements, Meridian, Woodside, and Mitsui will work towards commencing front-end engineering design for the project. 

Woodside CEO Meg O’Neill said: “We are pleased to have been selected as the preferred partner for the proposed SGH project. Woodside brings the technical skill and operations experience to develop this project at pace to meet customer demand for hydrogen, which we expect to grow in the energy transition. We look forward to working with Meridian and Mitsui to potentially offer this important customer solution both domestically and globally.” 

Mitsui Chief Operating Officer of Energy Solutions Business Unit Toru Iijima said: “We look forward to working closely with Meridian, Woodside and all the related important stakeholders to develop a large-scale hydrogen and ammonia export project with a view to contributing to Southland, New Zealand and the global market.” 

The selection of Woodside followed a competitive process, during which Murihiku Regeneration, representing both Ngāi Tahu and the local rūnanga of Murihiku, were closely involved. Looking ahead, Meridian, Woodside, and Mitsui will actively work with Ngāi Tahu and the local Rūnanga to ensure the project aligns with their energy vision for the region and supports their principles under mana whenua.

“We believe a large-scale hydrogen and ammonia facility in Southland, focused on the export market, will accelerate the development of a domestic hydrogen economy and strengthen New Zealand’s platform to contributing to decarbonising our transport and industrial sectors,” Mr Barclay added.

“It will also create new opportunities in an emerging industry for the local community. We expect the facility will have the added benefit of being able to provide up to 40 percent of New Zealand’s dry year flexibility needs to the electricity sector.” 

Ta Tipene O’Regan, Murihiku Upoko and Ngāi Tahu Leader, welcomed the announcement of Woodside as the preferred partner, looking forward to growing the Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and Murihiku Hapū relationship with Woodside. “Our interest in the project is more than just commercial. It extends to the longterm social and environmental sustainability of the rohe. Future developments show great promise for the region, but they must also meet the highest standards and deliver real value to the community,” he said.

Terry Nicholas, Murihiku Upoko and Murihiku Regeneration Director added: “This is an opportunity for Murihiku and the wider Southland region to develop a new, highly skilled energy economy. While it brings many benefits, there are significant education and training challenges to ensure our whanau are able to fully participate in this transition, and we need to accelerate the work we are already doing in that space to meet the project’s projected labour needs.”

The proposed project is targeting to produce 500,000 tonnes per year of ammonia utilising electrolysis from renewable power. Technical work on the facility is continuing in parallel with the design of the commercial structure for the project. Options for the supply of hydrogen and ammonia to the domestic market, as well as for the potential to export ammonia to Asia and Europe, will be assessed.

SGH originally consisted of Meridian and Contact. Contact has made the decision to no longer continue into the next phase of the project as a development partner, but has indicated an interest in continuing to support the project as a potential electricity supplier.