2026 Day Two

REGISTRATION OPEN | TEA AND COFFEE IN THE EXHIBITION SPACE

WELCOME FROM THE DAY TWO CHAIR

John Hancock – independent consultant

KEYNOTE | MAKING CONTACT

Contact Energy has been exceptionally active over the past 18 months, delivering on its Contact26 strategy—a bold roadmap focused on growing renewable development, growing demand, decarbonising its portfolio, and enhancing customer experience. A major strategic milestone was the acquisition of Manawa Energy in mid-2025, significantly boosting Contact’s generation assets and customer base. The company has also seen year-on-year growth in profit and retail connections, driven by its focus on bundled products and services to meet evolving customer needs. With strong momentum in financial performance and a clear vision for a low-carbon future, Contact Energy is redefining what it means to be a modern energy provider.

So what is behind the making of Contact Energy?

Mike Fuge – chief executive, Contact

VIEWS FROM THE OPPOSITION

With current polling showing the government and opposition neck-and-neck, there is a possibility of a change in government by the end of 2026.

• what could a centre-left coalition mean for the energy sector?
• which policies might be reversed?
• what is likely to remain in place?
• what new initiatives could emerge?

This session will help sector stakeholders understand what’s at stake and make informed choices ahead of the next general election.

Join us for a rapid-fire pitch session from the Labour and The Greens energy spokespeople, followed by a dynamic Q&A – both prepared and audience-driven.

If you want insight into the future of energy policy, this is a session you can’t afford to miss.

Under invitation:
Hon Dr Megan Woods – spokesperson for energy and resources, Labour
Scott Willis – spokesperson for energy, The Greens

FIRESIDE CHAT | STRENGTHENING EDB COLLABORATION FOR MARKET EFFICIENCY

The 2025 Review of Electricity Market Performance by Frontier Economics outlines a series of recommendations aimed at enhancing operational and investment efficiency across New Zealand’s electricity distribution sector. These recommendations span from mandatory amalgamation to structured coordination in areas such as procurement, shared personnel, and strategic planning.

With Electricity Networks Aotearoa (ENA) and the Electricity Engineers’ Association (EEA) actively leading initiatives to foster collaboration among EDBs, this session will explore the tangible progress already made, the challenges ahead, and the untapped opportunities for more efficient electricity distribution operations.

Panelists:
Tracey Kai – chief executive, Electricity Networks Aotearoa
Nicki Sutherland – chief executive, Electricity Engineers’ Association (EEA)
Daniel Brown – manager Electrify New Zealand, Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment
Paul Blue – chief executive, PowerNet

KEY INSIGHTS EMERGING FROM OPEN ELECTRICITY

Exploring how the concept of Open Electricity is unlocking new ways for customers, retailers, and technology providers to interact.

How can secure, standardised data sharing pave the way for smarter and more customer-focused energy solutions?

Tina Groark – practice lead, product manager and strategic advisor, Middleware
Lee Mauger – chief disruptor, Middleware

Sponsored by  

MORNING BREAK AND NETWORKING IN THE EXHIBITION

SPONSORED SESSION

A leading engineering consultancy is actively supporting New Zealand’s energy transition through large-scale battery storage projects, renewable integration, and decarbonisation strategies. Their work includes designing advanced energy storage systems to improve grid resilience, advising on emissions reduction pathways, and contributing to national energy policy development. These initiatives aim to accelerate the shift to a low-carbon future while maintaining affordability and reliability.

STREAM 1 - ROUND TABLES

Instructions from the day two chair
John Hancock – independent consultant

STREAM 2 - ENERGY MIX

Introduction from the stream chair
Andrew Wallace – industrial energy lead, BECA and Young Energy Professionals Network (YEPN) Co-Chair

ROUND TABLES

Break off to different tables running individual discussions. Current topics include:

1. OPEN ELECTRICITY: UNLOCKING KEY STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS – Middleware

2. HOW BATTERIES ARE REDEFINING ELECTRIFICATION AND SUPPORTING THE GRID  – Simply Energy

3. EPC VS. MULTI-CONTRACT APPROACHES FOR LARGE-SCALE RENEWABLES: WHAT WORKS BEST IN THE NZ MARKET?  – Chapman Tripp

4. RE-ENERGISE 2026 | ACTIONING THE ACTION PLAN – EEA + Energy Resources Aotearoa

5. COMPLEXITY SCIENCE IN ACTION |  TOOLS FOR NAVIGATING THE ENERGY SYSTEM – Jeet Sheth

6. MORE TABLES TOPICS TO FOLLOW

ENERGY MIX | WIND

Wind energy offers several distinct advantages over solar energy, particularly in the context of New Zealand’s geography, climate, and energy goals. Developing more onshore and offshore wind energy in New Zealand presents exciting opportunities — but also a range of technical, environmental, regulatory, and social challenges. This session offers a snapshot of where we are today and the pathway ahead for wind energy in Aotearoa.

Kevin Hart – chief executive, New Zealand Wind Energy Association

ENERGY MIX | GEOTHERMAL

The geothermal sector has achieved some important milestones over the past year. The presentation aims to share on the key documents published by the New Zealand Geothermal Association to support the growth of the industry

Kennie Tsui – chief executive, New Zealand Geothermal Association

ENERGY MIX | BIOGAS IN ACTION

Biogas is gaining momentum globally as a key contributor to low-emissions energy systems.

In this session, climate technology company Cetogenix shares first-hand insights from Europe, examining the policy frameworks, infrastructure, and market conditions that have enabled biogas success abroad. The discussion will also explore how these learnings can be applied to develop biogas solutions in New Zealand, offering a grounded and forward-looking perspective on its potential to enhance energy resilience and support a circular economy.

Dr Trevor Stuthridge – chief executive officer, Cetogenix

LUNCH BREAK AND NETWORKING WITHIN THE EXHIBITION

STREAM 1 - SECTOR INSIGHTS

Welcome back from the stream chair
John Hancock – independent consultant

STREAM 2 - ENERGY MIX

Welcome back from the stream chair
Andrew Wallace – industrial energy lead, BECA and Young Energy Professionals Network (YEPN) Co-Chair

STREAM 3 - GROUND HEAT WORKSHOP

Hosted by the New Zealand Geothermal Association
Kennie Tsui – chief executive, New Zealand Geothermal Association

EV CHARGING | LESSONS OF THE PAST DECADE AND THE ROAD AHEAD

With over 3 million charging sessions of data and 10 years building a business alongside an industry, ChargeNet has a unique perspective on public charging and New Zealand’s early-stage EV adoption. Integrating the new transport demands into an evolving electricity system and market can be informed by the lessons learnt and customer insights. Smart connections and prudent investments underpin a seamless customer experience which reinforces the opportunity to ease New Zealand through the electrification of transport.

Gain insights into:

• what has been learned from a decade of operating New Zealand’s largest EV charging network
• how data informs ChargeNet’s site selection and investment
• the balance between site energy demand and delivered capacity, and the impacts of the key strategies to manage that
• same, same but different – what do we need to prepare for the decade ahead?

This session offers attendees a behind-the-scenes look into the largest charge point operator in New Zealand and what is needed for the next decade of EV charging in New Zealand.

Danusia Wypych – chief executive officer, ChargeNet

ENERGY MIX | LIQUID FUELS

New Zealand’s liquid fuel security has emerged as a critical national issue, particularly following the closure of the Marsden Point oil refinery in 2022. This shift ended domestic refining and left the country fully reliant on imported refined fuels such as petrol, diesel, and jet fuel.

Liquid fuels remain essential to New Zealand’s economy and way of life – powering transport, agriculture, aviation, and emergency services. In response to growing risks, the Government is developing a Fuel Security Plan aimed at strengthening resilience, improving supply chain reliability, and preparing for future disruptions.

As New Zealand moves toward decarbonisation, this session will examine how to balance energy security with climate goals, and what role liquid fuels will play in a low-emissions future.

INTRODUCTION AND BUSINESS TOOLS TO SWITCH YOUR BUSINESS TO GEOTHERMAL

Aotearoa New Zealand is blessed with an incredible natural resource beneath our feet – warm groundwater stretching from the Far North to Invercargill, with temperatures ranging from 15 °C to 180 °C. This renewable energy source, known as Geoheat, remains underutilised by many businesses and communities.

This interactive workshop will provide:

• an overview of the Geoheat resource and its applications
• practical business tools to help you assess the feasibility of switching to Geoheat
• real-world examples showcasing successful Geoheat projects across Aotearoa

Bring along your annual energy demand data, and our facilitators will guide you through tailored Geoheat options for your organisation. By the end of the session, you’ll gain actionable insights and the confidence to explore this abundant, sustainable energy solution.

PANEL | UNLOCKING THE ENERGY INVESTMENT CONTINUUM

New Zealand’s energy investment priorities have shifted dramatically: from securing baseload generation, to accelerating renewables under climate policy, and now to enabling large-scale electrification. With electricity demand projected to grow up to 82% by 2050 and billions required for new generation, transmission, and distribution to achieve Net Zero, the question is clear: who funds what—and how do we structure the capital stack for success?

Key themes our panel will consider:

• defining the continuum: what does the investment continuum look like in an electrified economy?

• capital structures: is New Zealand’s capital stack fit for purpose, or do we need new models?

• risk and innovation: who carries early-stage technology risk—and how critical are these technologies?

• regulatory certainty: does the current framework make electrification investable at scale?

• strategic drivers: are we still investing for ‘green’, or now for sovereignty, resilience, and strategic advantage?

• capital allocation: which stages are starved of capital, and which overheated? Who should own each stage?

• unlocking growth: what one structural change would unleash the next wave of investment?

FIRESIDE CHAT | THE BUSINESS OF BIOMASS

The biomass-for-energy industry in New Zealand is experiencing a period of cautious growth and strategic development, driven by climate goals, energy security concerns, and industrial demand. Last year we heard from Genesis about its ambitious programme to replace coal with torrefied biomass. This time we expand the conversation to include the supply chain and lean into what’s required to get things up and running.

Panelists:
Oliver Howitt – programme advisor, EECA
David McGregor – executive director, carbona
Brian Cox – executive officer, Bioenergy Association of New Zealand

Facilitated by: Dave Binnie – business development manager – biomass, Genesis Energy

SHORT BREAK AND NETWORKING WITHIN THE EXHIBITION

STREAM 1 - FINAL SESSIONS

PRIZE WINNERS ANNOUNCED

PANEL | THE FADING FLAME – WHERE TO NEXT FOR GAS?

Indigenous gas supply continues to fall which in New Zealand’s closed loop gas market means that indigenous gas demand must do the same. Demand destruction has impacted the petrochemical and industrial sectors the hardest with a string of recent plant closures. Power generators meanwhile are increasingly dominating gas buy-side activity enabled by a higher ability to pay compared to other users.

The government has now formally commenced a procurement process to potentially support the construction of a LNG import facility to bolster supply.

This panel will explore the role of gas in New Zealand’s future energy mix. It will examine options, trade-offs, transitional strategies and implications for industry, policy and consumers.

Panelists:
Nathan Turner – head of energy procurement, Fonterra
Others under invitation

Facilitated by: John Kidd – director, head of research, Enerlytica

FIRESIDE CHAT | MINISTER FOR ENERGY

Hon Simon Watts – Minister for Energy

Facilitated by: John Carnegie – chief executive, Energy Resources Aotearoa

CLOSING REMARKS

DOWNSTREAM 2026 CONCLUDES