Pre-Conference Workshops
Building DSO Capability in Aotearoa
Date: Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Time: 9.00am - 12.30pm
Venue: New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Co-hosts: Electricity Engineers’ Association (EEA) and the Electricity Authority (EA)
Join industry stakeholders, local and international experts, the EEA and our regulator for this interactive workshop to advance DSO capability in Aotearoa.
Purpose:
This interactive workshop jointly hosted by the EEA and Electricity Authority (EA) aims to advance the building of DSO capability in Aotearoa. It follows the launch of the Authority’s DSO Roadmap in June and aims to:
- highlight the increasing importance of DSO capability
- explain the DSO Roadmap and how this fits alongside other work
- share international lessons
- showcase practical examples of capability emerging domestically
- engage industry on implementation priorities and challenges, and
- identify where we need greater collaboration and coordination
The workshop will open with the EA providing an overview of the roadmap including the vision, critical path, and how this ties into other key workstreams (connections, flexibility, interoperability, data). Two international speakers will share insights and lessons from global DSO journeys.
The day aims to be interactive, structured to align with the five objectives of the DSO Roadmap. Domestic case studies will be threaded throughout, highlighting what’s already happening in NZ in terms of DER orchestration, flexibility trials, and network visibility. These case studies will surface practical challenges (data, interoperability, customer engagement, commercial models) – spurring discussion so that the conversation focuses on the realities of implementation.
Registration
There is no charge to attend but registration is required.
Resolving Technical Barriers to accelerate Solar PV uptake – An Industry led Roadmap
Date: Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Time: 1.15pm - 4.30pm
Venue: New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Co-hosts: Electricity Engineers’ Association (EEA) and the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand (SEANZ)
There’s never been more interest in the potential for solar PV to contribute to electrifying our nation and providing access to affordable, abundant electricity.
Globally, the solar PV journey has not been without challenges. Here in New Zealand we have a window of opportunity to take proactive steps to put in place the right standards, systems, processes and guidance. But we need to act quickly, and move together.
Join with the other stakeholders tackling this challenge as we align on what’s been achieved and identify the next opportunities and priorities.
Purpose:
This interactive workshop jointly hosted by the EEA and SEANZ will address how we collectively resolve technical barriers to accelerate solar PV update, covering DG, balcony solar, metering, and appropriate battery use. The workshop’s overall purpose is to progress development of an industry led roadmap with agreed priorities, roles, and responsibilities.
At the workshop we’ll collectively align on the overall problem statement, scope, and objectives. You will hear insights from organisations who are well progressed in their solar acceleration journey; from suppliers and customers about the barriers they are experiencing; and from organisations such as EECA about the work they’re leading.
Registration:
There is no charge to attend but registration is required.
Gender diversity is critical to building a resilient and sustainable ESI workforce but recent data shows while we’re making some progress, female participation in technical, trade, operational, and engineering roles is persistently low.
Date: Tuesday, 22 September 2026
Time: 4.00pm - 5.30pm (followed by Technology Exhibition Opening and Social Function)
Venue: New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Location: Level 5 Atrium
Tackling this requires coordinated, sector-wide action, ongoing commitment and knowledge sharing.
This year we give diversity centre stage by making it the focus of first networking event of EEA2026, jointly hosted by EEA and Ngākau Hihiko.
Join us to hear what the Re-Energise 2026 report says about diversity in our sector and relevant actions underway through our industry’s action plan.
Hear from companies sharing their approach to creating a culture where women want to stay and thrive, in the office and in the field.
Network with your peers and new faces as you prepare for an incredible two days of conferencing.
Facilitator
- Rebecca Mehrtens: Ngākau Hihiko Chair
Speakers
- Mornez Green: Chief Executive – Omexom
- Brighid Kelly: Executive General Manager People – Transpower
- Nicki Sutherland: Chief Executive – EEA
Registration:
There is no charge to attend but registration is required.
Start the 2026 EEA Conference the best way possible: Over breakfast with the people who will shape the future of our industry
Date: Wednesday 23 September 2026
Time: 7.00am - 8.00am
Venue: New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Young EEA warmly invites students and young early-career professionals, from every corner of the electricity supply industry, to our Conference Breakfast being held Wednesday 23 September at the NZICC in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
This is your chance to kick off the day alongside around 100 others at a similar stage in their careers — swap ideas, spark new connections across the sector, and build the network that will carry you through the conference and well beyond.
It’s a relaxed, buzzing way to ease into the day before the sessions begin.
Registration:
There is no charge to attend but registration is required.
Bushfire Resilience Breakfast: Climate change and associated weather extremes increase the potential for wildfires and the dangers this creates for electricity networks, communities and the environment.
Date: Thursday 24 September 2026
Time: 7.00am - 8.15am
Venue: New Zealand International Convention Centre, 101 Hobson Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland
Purpose
Across Europe, the Mediterranean, North America and Australia, wildfires are more frequent and destructive and fire seasons longer, with significant implications for utilities in these regions. New Zealand is not immune to changing weather patterns and has seen the destruction wrought by large fires on the Port Hills, at Lake Pukaki – Ōhau.
The EEA’s 2025 Resilience Guide provides comprehensive guidance around wildfire risk analysis and fire risk management and mitigation.
Network Operations
When it comes to operations, networks take varied approaches and there is a lack of best practice guidance.
Join industry colleagues in an interactive discussion to identify:
- the biggest operational risks and priorities as our industry sees them
- opportunities for knowledge sharing and industry collaboration
- any need for new operational guidance or standardised processes.
Three speakers with lived New Zealand and Australian experience will spur the morning’s thinking.
Hear from keynote speaker Jamie Cowan, Consultant Fire Investigator and expert, who brings over 18 years of domestic and international experience in wildfire management and incident management systems, and has been an expert witness on some of New Zealand’s biggest recent fires.
Meet other stakeholders working on the same priorities as you and help structure our industry’s approach to what we do next.
Bushfire Resilience Breakfast Flyer
Registration:
Note: Places at the Bushfire Breakfast are limited. To help ensure fair representation, we ask that each organisation register two representatives only.
There is no charge to attend but registration is required.