About QEA

Who are we?

Building the 2050 energy system, by 2030

We're a locally-led team of electrification experts, community guides, and technical specialists working to make Queenstown the world's first zero-carbon visitor destination. Over the next 18 months, we're bringing together local installers, technology suppliers, and community leaders to provide independent advice, negotiate community-wide deals, and make clean energy accessible to everyone, from renters to homeowners to businesses.

The goal is to have one concentrated place where we do the work of building the 2050 energy system by 2030, while creating scalable lessons and models for New Zealand and for the world.

Funded by Rewiring Aotearoa, Ara Ake, Destination Queenstown, Queenstown Lakes District Council, and other local partners and technology suppliers, we're here to slash power bills and build energy resilience across the Central Lakes region.

Want to be part of the transformation? Partner with us.

The team (so far!)

Dr Steve Batstone

Director at Whitestone Energy  |  Advisor at Rewiring Aotearoa

Dr Steve Batstone is an expert in energy systems and operations research, with experience spanning academia, industry, and consultancy. His work shapes Aotearoa's energy landscape. Holding a PhD from the University of Canterbury, he has worked extensively in electricity markets, regulatory affairs, and technological innovation. He is the Founding Director of Whiteboard Energy (a platform for energy education), the creator of the documentary Powering NZ and is an advisor to Rewiring Aotearoa.

Josh Ellison

Research & Development Lead at Rewiring Aotearoa‍

Josh leads Research & Development at Rewiring Aotearoa, a non-profit think (and do) tank that is working to build an electrified future where every kiwi saves money on energy bills, reduces their carbon emissions and has the resilience to keep their lights on and homes warm. He has led their research efforts since day one and is a Queenstown local.

Jenny Sahng

Senior Data Scientist & Project Manager at Rewiring Aotearoa‍

Jenny combines data expertise with climate communication to drive emissions reduction in NZ at Rewiring Aotearoa. Previously a data scientist at Xero and founding team at kiwi tech startup Multitudes, she formerly co-founded Climate Club Aotearoa, making climate action accessible for everyday New Zealanders.

Mike Rewi

Community Engagement at Rewiring Aotearoa  |
Tumu Whakarae (CEO) at Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust

Mike hails from Murihiku (Southland) and is an active Ngāi Tahu Iwi member. He advocates for better outcomes for Māori, Pasifika and low income communities, ensuring whānau voice is at the forefront of central and local governments policies. He is founder and is CEO of Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust, runs iwi and community engagement at Rewiring Aotearoa, is a trustee on Shaping Our Futures Inc., and holds advisory roles within Waka Kotahi ensuring community voice is woven through government strategy.

Jay Salzke

Ecosystem Lead at Rewiring Aotearoa

Jay is an educator and community builder, passionate about climate action and electrification. As Ecosystem Lead for Rewiring Aotearoa, he is building a network of community groups accelerating localised electrification. Previously, as Project Manager for Auckland Climate Festival, Jay fostered partnerships with 285+ stakeholders, delivering workshops and resources to raise climate ambition. He is completing a Master of Climate Science and Policy, focusing on mitigation, adaptation and climate justice.

Background

Why does Queenstown need electrification?

Electrification has been proven to create the lowest bills for homes and businesses alike, and with solar and batteries enables an unprecendented level of community resilience to keep our lights on, our homes warm, and our businesses running.
For example, read Electric Homes Report, Investing in Tomorrow Paper, Electric Farms Report.

New Zealand is one of the first countries to cross the "electrification tipping point"

This means electrifying appliances and vehicles in both homes and businesses can save money and emissions from day one, and save thousands every year.

Want the details, read the Electric Homes Report

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New Zealand should be telling the world's best climate story.

Setting the global precedents:

- For low bills
- For high resilience
- For electric innovation
- For electric communities

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We should be telling the story of saving $10 billion a year. Saving millions in every community.

Instead of running on imported petrol, diesel, and gas, New Zealand could be running more productive, more efficient electric machines powered by New Zealand generated electricity. Read more about the billions that could be saved in the Investing in Tomorrow paper.

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Queenstown has a tangible opportunity to become the world’s first electrified destination.

The globally recognisable postcard destination from the electrified future. Queenstown could lead the world on climate action and on bill savings for the community.

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Queenstown is even further past the tipping point for electrification.

Because of high LPG, Petrol, and Diesel costs, combined with great solar potential.

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Queenstown has an urgent need for resilience.

Alpine fault would likely cause weeks without grid supply or fuel delivery. In those weeks, the sun will still be shining, and if we have a resilient solar and battery network we can keep the lights on and homes warm.

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Queenstown faces looming significant grid infrastructure upgrade costs.

Causing bill increases of $500 per year per home, more for business. Could be deferred for years with smart electrification. 

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All of this means Queenstown is poised to show the world what a low cost, low emissions, high resilience energy system can look like.

Queenstown has all the reasons to do this fast, well, and to become a world leader.

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Which is why we're launching the:

Queenstown
Electrification
Accelerator

Locally-based team of electrification experts, community guides, and technical specialists.

Whose goal is to rapidly accelerate electrification that will lower bills, build resilience, and lower emissions. Sharing these scaleable lessons to accelerate all of New Zealand.

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The goal is to help you.

Whether you are a home, or a business, the Accelerator's goal is to help you electrify.

Trusted independent advice to help you understand the best energy options for your situation.

Working with industry, on clear pricing, bulk buy deals, finance support, and innovation to help make electrification easy and affordable.

Info for householdsInfo for businesses