Ecotricity Best Large Business Award 2023
This category recognises business excellence within the renewable energy market segment. It celebrates businesses that have developed and grown whilst making a positive contribution to society, the industry and all stakeholders – customers, employees, and shareholders.
Winner: SLR
SLR are global leaders in full-spectrum sustainability solutions: providing clients with strategic advice and on the ground technical support, partnering with them in Making Sustainability Happen. We achieve this by having a team of specialist advisors and technicians, who support our clients to tackle some of the world's most complex sustainability challenges, by utilising our collaborative and entrepreneurial One Team culture.
In August 2022, SLR acquired 4Sight Consulting, an Aotearoa based Planning and Environmental Consulting firm. Any references or projects featured in this submission will include those undertaken by both firms.
SLR continues to make a strong contribution to the growth of renewable energy (including solar) across Aotearoa New Zealand. We have grown to provide an integrated service offering that, to a high degree, makes SLR a ‘one stop shop’ for our clients in assessing and consenting solar farm projects. As of September 2023, our record includes 12 projects either already consented or the process of being consented (900MW total); and 9 projects in the pre-assessment phase (600M total). We have also completed many more site assessments, due diligence advice for investment, and specialist assessments such as ESG.
Runner Up: solarZero
solarZero achieved the milestone of 10,000 solar and battery systems on households in May this year. The batteries are visible to solarZero and controllable. solarZero’s aim is to manage the batteries to help support the electrification of the economy and enable the power system to run more efficiently. Over the past 18 months solarZero has developed its virtual power plant technology and now has two non-network solution projects, is in the reserves market and has developed a winter peak product. A key aim of solarZero’s is to ensure the Transition is just and benefits the entire country.
With over 10,000 installations, active in the reserves market, providing a winter peak product and active with two non-network solutions, a schools solar programme and supporting businesses across Aotearoa New Zealand, is a clear leader in the solar, battery, distributed energy and flexibilitty space in New Zealand.
