Queenstown Electrification Accelerator

The world’s most electrified destination, one home and business at a time.

The Queenstown Electrification Accelerator is here to help homes and businesses electrify, to save money on bills, strengthen resilience, eliminate emissions, and lead the world in sustainable tourism. Together, we're aiming to make Queenstown the first destination on Earth powered entirely by clean energy.

We're helping Queenstown...

💰 Save money → Cut your power bills by thousands every year
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🌱 Cut emissions → Eliminate fossil fuels from homes and businesses
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🔋 Take control → Build independence from fossil fuel imports and resilience with solar and batteries.
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🌍 Lead the world → Become the world’s first zero-carbon visitor destination

Supported by

Thank you to our supporters, who are transforming the lives of Queenstown and Central Otago households and businesses while building the blueprint for Aotearoa and the world's energy future.

The Queenstown Electrification Accelerator is made possible by the support of forward-thinking organisations committed to our community's sustainable future.

Are you a supplier, installer, potential funder, or sponsor?
‍We'd love to partner with you to pioneer Aotearoa's energy future in Tahuna.

Support the mahi

Your power bills are too high. Let’s fix that.

15% of Queenstown residents can't afford to heat their homes properly (QLDC, 2020). Meanwhile, we're sitting on a goldmine of solar potential and proven technology like heat pumps that can slash bills from day one. An average Queenstown home can save thousands per year by going electric. That's real money back in your pocket, every single year.

Why Queenstown, why now?

Queenstown is perfectly positioned to lead the nation on electrification.

‍Sky-high fuel costs: Our remote location means some of the most expensive petrol, diesel, and LPG costs in the world. These are projected to increase over the next decade.

‍Abundant sunshine: The region has ample sunshine to make solar an economically viable choice for most rooftops.

‍Tourism leadership: With Destination Queenstown’s zero carbon 2030 goal gaining international attention, there is an opportunity to be a true global leader in sustainable tourism

‍Community collaboration: Our locally-based accelerator team has been engaging with local residents, businesses, iwi, hapu, councils, and the energy & innovation sector, and has seen great interest in an initiative can lower practical deployment barriers to deliver the full advantages of electrification to our communities.

‍The math is simple: Electrification = immediate savings + long-term resilience.

When the alpine fault goes off, your lights can stay on

Scientists predict a 75% chance of an Alpine Fault earthquake in the next 50 years, and 4 out of 5 chance that it will be magnitude 8 or higher ("AF8"). When it hits, we could lose grid power and fuel supplies for weeks. Even the recently proposed $200m upgrades (costing consumers up to $500 per home per year) to the transmission system will not provide the energy resilience we need.

‍But imagine this instead: A network of solar-powered homes and businesses, connected by community batteries, keeping our essential services running, our homes warm, and our community safe. That's the resilience electrification can bring, while lowering our bills.
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What we're doing about it

Practical solutions that benefit everyone

The Queenstown Electrification Accelerator is a locally-led initiative for the community tackling our biggest energy challenges head-on. Fiercely independent and funded by donations from New Zealand and Central Otago-based organisations, we are here to fight for the homeowners, renters, and businesses of Queenstown to deliver lower bills, more resilience, and lower emissions. For Queenstown to become a world leader in affordable, clean energy, everyone needs to have access to these benefits – that includes renters, low-income families, and community groups.

💡 Energy education & support
Free guides, community workshops, and one-on-one energy consultations with local experts

🏠 Making solar work for everyone
Including innovative solar-for-renters programs that extend clean energy benefits beyond homeowners

🚗 Community EV charging networks
Low-cost charging solutions for locals, including those without driveways or garages

🔧 Growing local expertise
Training programs for installers and trades to build our clean energy workforce

💰 Unlocking affordable finance
Working with banks to offer $0 upfront options that save money from day one

🤝 Bulk-buy power
Negotiating group discounts on heat pumps, solar systems, and EVs for the community

Success Stories

Queenstown families & businesses leading the charge

An image of a wooden house with solar panels on the roof

🏡 Trent & Jane's Electric Home

With resilience to get through a natural disaster, and clever decisions about solar and electric appliances and vehicles, Trent’s family home in Arrowtown pays an estimated zero dollars for bills over the course of a year, including charging the two electric vehicles. Considering how much petrol costs these days - thousands per year on average - it’s an amazing testament to good design and making the most of the lowest cost electricity humanity has invented - rooftop solar.

🏢 Toni & John’s Electric Lodge

This beautiful lodge in Kinloch has undergone an electric transformation to provide it with lower bills, more resilience in the face of natural disasters, and a serene silent atmosphere (no petrol leafblowers…). Open for lunch, dinner, overnight stays and all electric adventures (including electric motorbikes), Kinloch Lodge is a testament to providing accommodation that helps the planet while reminding you how spectacular it is.

🚜 Mike’s Electric Farm

In a world-first, Mike saves around $40,000 per year in diesel costs on his all electric farm in Cromwell, and is set to make even more next year with a new solar install. He’s got 21 different electric machines, from New Zealand’s first electric tractor, to electric ride-on lawnmowers and even electric frost fighting fans that are the cheapest to run frost fighting in the country. See his inspiring story on Country Calendar.

Solutions

🏡 For Homeowners

Slash your bills, increase your home's value, and gain energy independence and resilience with solar, batteries, and efficient appliances.

Learn more (coming soon)

🏢 For Businesses

Cut operating costs, reduce emissions, and future-proof your business against rising energy prices.

🏘️ For Renters

Access guides for solutions, tips for engaging with landlords, and solar programmes specifically designed for renters.

Coming soon

Learn more (coming soon)

🛠️ For Suppliers & Installers

Join our approved network*, access training opportunities, connect with ready customers*, and help make electrification affordable for everyone.

*Training & network coming soon

Partner with us

Join the movement

Make savings, make history

Whether you're ready to electrify now or just exploring options, we're here to help with:

⚡️ Free, independent advice tailored to your situation
⚡️ Access to trusted local installers and suppliers
⚡️ Group buying power for better prices
⚡️ Support navigating finance options
⚡️ A community of locals on the same journey

Join our mailing list to stay up to date on opportunities, including community groups, guides, and potential opportunities to participate in electrification trials.

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