Karoline Spiessl
Research Consultant
Date: 1 July 2026
Time: 7.00 - 8.15 pm NZST / 09:00-10:15 CEST
Format: Online webinar
Participation: Open to the public (registration required)
The German–New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (GNZCC), in cooperation with adelphi, invites you to a technical webinar under the German–New Zealand Energy Dialogue focusing on utility-scale solar development in both countries.
This session brings together industry associations, companies, and system-level actors to compare market conditions for large-scale solar in New Zealand and Germany. The discussion will be structured around a comparative SWOT analysis, covering market scale, project pipelines, regulatory frameworks, grid integration, and implementation risks.
New Zealand’s utility-scale solar market is entering a phase of accelerated growth, driven by increasing electricity demand and the need to diversify renewable generation beyond hydropower. At the same time, project development faces challenges related to grid capacity, consenting processes, and investment conditions. Germany, by contrast, continues to expand solar deployment at scale, while addressing regulatory, land-use, and integration challenges.
The webinar will combine perspectives from industry associations, system operators, and companies to provide practical insights into project development and delivery. It is designed as an interactive expert exchange rather than a series of stand-alone presentations.
The session is particularly relevant for companies and stakeholders interested in the New Zealand solar market and in the comparability of international market conditions.
Speakers
Aquila Clean Energy APAC
Aquila Clean Energy APAC is a renewable energy platform that develops, finances, builds, and operates solar, wind, and battery storage projects across the Asia-Pacific region. It manages projects across the full value chain, from development through to operation, as part of the Aquila Group.
German Wind and Solar Energy Agency (Fachagentur Wind und Solar)
The German Wind and Solar Energy Agency is a non-profit organisation that supports the environmentally compatible expansion of onshore wind and solar energy in Germany. It provides data, analysis, and guidance on planning, permitting, and regulatory frameworks for renewable energy projects.
Meridian Energy
Meridian Energy is one of New Zealand’s largest electricity generators and retailers, with a strong focus on renewable energy sources including wind and hydro. The company plays a central role in the country’s energy system and in advancing decarbonisation through large-scale renewable generation.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE)
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is the government’s international business development agency, supporting companies in expanding into global markets. It provides market insights, connections, and investment facilitation to strengthen international trade and attract investment into New Zealand.
Powerco
Powerco is a New Zealand electricity and gas distribution company operating extensive network infrastructure across the North Island. It connects homes, businesses, and energy generation assets to the grid and plays a key role in enabling the integration of new energy sources.
Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ)
The Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand is an industry body representing companies active in solar, energy storage, and distributed renewable energy. It promotes the adoption of sustainable energy technologies through advocacy, industry standards, and collaboration across the energy sector.