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by Mat Woods, Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism

Have you thought about solar, batteries or an EV in the past few months? You’re not alone.

The cost of energy, and how it is impacting household budgets and the increased cost of doing business, is front of mind. New Zealand is heavily reliant on imported energy, the current US-Iran conflict in the Middle East has highlighted our vulnerability to global shocks.

That’s the backdrop for Electrify Queenstown 2026, which gets under way this Sunday. Now in its third year, the award-winning three-day event provides practical energy solutions for residents and businesses, while offering inspiration and debate to move the conversation forward nationally.

It is fair to say that conversation has changed considerably over the past three years. What was once seen as an emissions-focused decision is now firmly about cost savings, energy security, sovereignty and resilience, especially in places at risk of being cut off by natural disasters such as an AF8 earthquake.

The good news is the technology is already here. New Zealand has around 10 million machines running on imported fossil fuels, and around 84% already have electric alternatives. That is not future thinking. That is now. Those questions about clean energy - is the technology ready, is it too expensive, can the grid handle it, is there enough sun, what about range? - have now been answered. Fuel anxiety has replaced range anxiety. Come along to Electrify Queenstown to hear the answers.

Energy costs and sovereignty will undoubtedly be an election issue this year. Those who have bought tickets to Day Two (Monday) will see Deputy PM David Seymour, Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, Energy Minister Simeon Brown, Green Party leader Chlöe Swarbrick, Assoc. Energy Minister Shane Jones and The Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong take part in The Future of New Zealand’s Energy System: A Leaders’ Debate, moderated by Paddy Gower. The lineup shows how crucial the issue will be to New Zealanders’ votes.

Beyond the politicians, the programme features many leading energy experts, including Dr Saul Griffith, who returns for a second year. Auditorium tickets are nearly sold out, but there is plenty of space in the Queenstown Events Centre exhibition hall on Sunday. Drop into the How-To Hub from 1pm-3pm for practical advice on electrifying your home, business or project, with zones covering solar and batteries, EVs, heating and hot water, and finance. You can also visit The Power Playground to try electrified tech, including EVs, and electric motorbikes. There will be food, drinks and even an electric-powered bouncy castle for the kids.

Queenstown Lakes, and New Zealand as a whole, is already past the tipping point where abundant, renewable, domestic electric energy makes financial sense. 2026 looks set to be the year we get past the psychological tipping point too.