AWARDS FINALIST: Jeremy MacIver – Commercialising renewables at Contact
Jeremy MacIver, head of commercial at Contact Energy, has been instrumental in some of the country's most significant energy deals.
He played a lead role negotiating the landmark 2024 electricity supply agreements with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters. These complex, multi-year negotiations resulted in the company committing to retain the Tiwai Point operation for up to 20 years - a milestone for the energy sector and the wider economy.
MacIver's innovative demand response arrangements, developed as part of the deal, have already provided critical relief to the national grid during peak periods.
Other pioneering work has included him leading commercial negotiations for New Zealand's first large-scale demand response agreement with New Zealand Steel.
The deal will see Contact supply 30 MW of renewable electricity to support the steelmaker's $300 million electric arc furnace project, enabling a near-halving of its carbon emissions and securing the future of domestic steelmaking.
Contact says MacIver also spearheaded negotiations with Tesla for the development of a 100 MW battery energy storage system at Glenbrook. Described as a "Swiss army knife" for the electricity system, the battery will store excess energy and provide backup during outages.
Within Contact's existing portfolio, MacIver is helping to tackle the country's food-grade CO2 shortage through an innovative project at the company's Ohaaki geothermal plant.
By capturing naturally occurring CO2 released during power generation and converting it to beverage-grade quality, the initiative offers a sustainable solution for food processors left short of CO2 since the closure of the Marsden Point refinery in 2022.
MacIver, 35, began his journey with renewables in the UK, where he spent a decade in the London legal sector. Recognised as a rising star in the UK power and renewables market by Legal 500 for three consecutive years, he brought a wealth of international experience to Aotearoa when he joined Contact in 2020.
Contact says that, beyond his commercial achievements, MacIver is respected as a leader and mentor.
His colleagues describe him as calm, pragmatic, and solutions-focused, and as a trusted voice during high-stakes negotiations. He has also stepped in as acting chief development officer, guiding major projects, and supporting board-level decision-making.
Contact says MacIver is a great collaborator within the firm, but his influence extends into the development of the broader market.
He co-developed New Zealand's first and second corporate power purchase agreements - PPAs - with Oji Fibre Solutions and Pan Pac Forest Products and also helped create the country's first renewable energy attribute purchase agreement with Microsoft.
MacIver continues to contribute to industry-wide efforts to standardise PPAs and promote green electricity procurement, and Contact says he is adding a lot of long-term value for the country as a whole.
The annual Energy Excellence Awards will be held in Wellington on 13 August. The Young Energy Professional of the Year Award is sponsored by Phoenix Recycling Group.