Climate Action Leader
2023 AWARD WINNER
Sponsored by Waka Kotahi
Ecotricity is the first and only climate positive electricity provider in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Toitū certification covers the business and its products.
Started 10 years ago, Ecotricity’s mission has been to provide solutions for commercial and residential customers to reduce emissions from carbon-emitting energy sources. It provides customers with 100% renewable electricity from wind, solar and hydro generation.
The Auckland-based business is committed to making Aotearoa New Zealand’s electricity grid 100% renewable by actively promoting the development of clean energy technologies to replace fossil fuels and lower the cost of electricity.
Ecotricity’s climate positive electricity product is suitable for all customers, big and small. It has innovative energy solutions that help consumers keep their energy costs down, shift their energy usage away from peak periods, and reduce their carbon footprint. Lowering demand during peak periods also reduces the need for fossil fuel generation and helps stabilise the national grid.
In the 12 months to June 2023, electricity provided by Ecotricity avoided 33,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The business has the highest penetration of solar customers in the country. More than 70% of its residential and small business customers have rooftop solar. Excess solar power from those systems supplies about one-quarter of the electricity demands of Ecotricity customers during summer.
While outside its core business area, Ecotricity is educating Kiwis about electric vehicles (EVs). This work is fundamental to its company mission, given that carbon emissions from vehicles make up around half of our energy emissions. Its EV content had 1.3 million views in just 12 months.
Ecotricity says it is confident that by supplying Kiwis with 100% renewable, climate positive certified electricity, and by becoming the leading voice on EVs, it is playing a vital role in decarbonising the electricity sector.
The judges said: "A retailer of electricity generated only from renewable energy - low carbon hydro, wind and solar power. Ecotricity is climate positive certified, having reduced its own operational carbon emissions by around 30% and offset (to 125%) any residual emissions arising from the construction, operation and disposal of the generating assets it buys power from. Its customer base is growing 75% a year and around two thirds of its customers also own solar PV and sell any excess power they generate back to Ecotricity.
"The business is actively promoting the development of new renewable energy to help meet Aotearoa New Zealand's 2030 renewables target faster and decarbonise the grid. It is taking action to bring everyone on the journey, through collaboration and education within and across the industry."