Talking Energy: Kea Energy

Kea Energy is a small, family-run renewable electricity generator based in the South Island, which has now built the largest grid-connected, ground mounted solar farm in New Zealand, at Wairau Valley in Blenheim. It has recently signed an agreement to supply New Zealand Energy Certificates to BOC Gas, which BOC can match against their electricity use at the Glenbrook smelter in Auckland to produce green hydrogen.

Tim Middlehurst spoke to Campbell McMath, Managing Director of Kea Energy recently about building a solar farm in the year of Covid, their experience with bitcoin, and how renewable energy certificates will help with their plans for the future. Part two looks at the way forward for solar energy in New Zealand, as well as energy storage and carbon intensity.

Part 1: The Wairau Valley solar farm and renewable energy certificates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiLpf3KWqFI

Part 2: The future of solar energy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0SWC0-z5Wg

Read more about Kea Energy in this Stuff article.

We will be profiling other generators participating in The New Zealand Energy Certificate System in the coming months, please get in touch below if you would like to be interviewed.