Miraka has launched New Zealand’s first green hydrogen dual-fuel milk collection tanker as part of its kaitiakitanga objectives.
It is expected to achieve a significant reduction in milk collection transport CO2 emissions.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from on-farm milk collection has been a key goal for the Māori-owned, Taupō-based dairy company.
The Miraka dairy plant already has one of the world’s lowest manufacturing carbon emissions footprints, emitting 92%less CO2 than traditional coal-fired dairy factories.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay attended the launch ceremony, turning the key on the 700hp Volvo green hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel milk collection tanker at the Miraka dairy plant at Mokai, northwest of Taupō.
Miraka chair Bruce Scott said the introduction of the green hydrogen dual-fuel milk collection tanker marks a significant milestone for Miraka.
“This new vehicle aligns with our founders’ kaitiakitanga vision and values and our commitment to environmental care, supporting Aotearoa New Zealand’s transition to a low-carbon future.”
Miraka CEO Karl Gradon said while hydrogen-powered vehicles are still an emerging technology, he believes green hydrogen represents the most environmentally appropriate energy source for heavy freight.
“Our green hydrogen dual-fuel tanker is designed to reduce milk collection CO2 emissions by approximately 35% per vehicle, benefitting te taiao, the environment and our community.
The green hydrogen dual-fuel tanker will cover 165,000km a year. It has the capacity to haul 58 metric tonnes and requires two hydrogen refills daily.
A year ago today Miraka, along with its milk tanker supplier, Central Transport, and Halcyon Power entered into a partnership to establish a rural hydrogen hub, which Gradon hopes one day to expand nationwide.
“Launching our first green hydrogen dual-fuel milk collection tanker one year later is a tremendous achievement which we look forward to seeing rolled out across the fleet,” he said.
Tūaropaki Trust, a cornerstone shareholder in Miraka, provides geothermal energy and steam for the Miraka dairy plant through its Mokai Power Station.
Under a joint venture partnership with Japan’s Obayashi Corporation, Tūaropaki established Halcyon Power, New Zealand’s first commercial-scale green hydrogen plant.
Halcyon will supply the green hydrogen for the new tanker from its facility, which is adjacent to the Miraka dairy plant.
Tūaropaki general manager of culture and legacy Tahana Tippett-Tapsell said the hub embodies the trust’s vision of a sustainable circular economy and its guiding principle “to look after the land and the land will look after you”.
“The developments here at Mokai show that our investment in geothermal energy for process heat, clean power generation and green hydrogen production can be a low-emissions contributor to our economy. Halcyon Power is a proud supporter of this drive.
We look forward to the trust’s investment contributing to the success of our owners and their descendants,” Tippett-Tapsell said.
