As the finger-pointing and politics unravel in the wake of Monday night's Grid Emergency, one truth has slowly been gaining currency - that leaving generation to the big gentailers doesn't serve the country well. 

Media Release - For immediate release

The Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand urges Kiwis to take up solar and batteries as a path to energy independence and reducing carbon emissions

The Australian Energy Regulator has reminded the country’s electricity networks that they should factor in the multiple benefits of rooftop solar to the grid when looking to determine the cost of investments needed to increase the ability to absorb Australia’s booming rooftop solar uptake.

SEANZ was delighted to announce this year’s Fronius Energy Award winners at the organisation’s Tomorrow's Energy Today conference on the 2nd of July in association with Taspac Energy. 

The awards recognise and celebrate the businesses pushing the boundaries within the solar industry to provide cutting edge technologies, deliver outstanding products and service, and create a positive impact on our communities and the environment.  

SEANZ Chairman Brendan Winitana says every year he’s impressed by the industry’s drive to raise the bar and continually strive to develop the country’s Distributed Energy Resource capability. 

“From an off-grid installation on the Kayangel Atoll in Palau, providing the remote community with a clean, affordable energy solution to a largescale floating solar plant installed on previously unusable land, this year’s winners have been standout, says Winitana. 

He adds, We’ve also seen outstanding innovation with an energy management and billing solution that lets multi-tenancy developments utilise shared central services, reducing the capital and operational cost of services.” 

The award winners were announced at the industry dinner that took place at the SEANZ annual conference, which brought together the key players across sectors who can lead the drive toward a resilient and 100% renewable energy system. This year’s event featured a two day program encompassing educational and best practice technical workshops, new technology and product showcases, innovative case studies and a session with the Minister of Energy and Resources, Hon Dr Megan Woods. 

Images of the awards ceremony can be downloaded here.

SEANZ congratulates Sunergise and Taranaki hapū Ngāti Manuhiakai and Ngāti Tu as largest solar farm in the country opens

The massive network outages across Queensland on Tuesday afternoon triggered by an explosion and fire at the Callide coal plant have raised the question of whether more grid-scale big battery storage on the National Electricity Market could have changed the outcome.

Press Release - For Immediate Use

SEANZ group members collaborate with Māori housing providers in innovative trials to reduce energy hardship and lower emissions

Auckland, 26 May 2021 - The Sustainable Energy Association NZ (SEANZ) welcomes the announcement today of the $2.8m funding for selected projects to trial distributed renewable energy solutions on Māori housing by Hon Dr Megan Woods, Minister of Energy and Resources and Minister of Housing; and Hon Peeni Henare, Associate Minister of Māori Housing.

SEANZ Chair Brendan Winitana says: “it is great to see the potential of solar, batteries, and energy-sharing technologies being realised to help reduce energy hardship and provide sustainable energy solutions.

We commend the Ministers for funding these trials which will have a real impact on communities in hardship but also provide a blueprint for how all New Zealanders can enjoy low-cost renewable energy”.

Projects such as a community micro-grid, which includes solar and battery storage system distributing energy to whānau homes on the papakāinga and peer to peer energy sharing to homes further afield have received funding and will be implemented in collaboration with many SEANZ group members.

The $2.8m in funding is the first round in a total of around $14 million for renewable energy projects for Māori housing over the next four years. SEANZ expects its members will play a central role in projects funded in the remainder of the Initiative plus the approximately $14 million that has also been committed to funding renewable energy projects on public housing.

“Solar, batteries, and energy-sharing platforms will play a key role in powering our homes and our businesses into the future and SEANZ looks forward to working alongside the government and housing providers to help hasten the transition to our sustainable energy future,” says Mr Winitana.

ENDS

For further information contact:
SEANZ Communications Manager
Kristin Gillies
021 065 8460

Solar and wind potential is far higher than that of fossil fuels and can meet global energy demand many times over, unlocking huge benefits for society.

As New Zealand transitions to a low-carbon economy, the electricity sector will play an important role by allowing other sectors (notably heat and transport) to electrify and reduce carbon emissions.