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About Us

Ventus Energy is a group of companies and businesses that develop energy projects in New Zealand and The Republic of Ireland.

Who we are

About Ventus Energy

Ventus Energy (NZ) Ltd was incorporated in New Zealand in 2004 and began preliminary investigation work on wind energy projects that year. The company has been actively progressing a number of sites in the upper North Island and currently has three active wind development projects including the Taumatatotara and Kaimai Wind Farm projects.

Ventus Energy Ltd (Dublin) was incorporated in the year 2000 and has been active in wind farm development in County Limerick and Clare. This has resulted in a 6MW project (Knockastanna) constructed in 2009 using 6 x 1.5MW GE turbines now owned by Scottish and Southern. A second Ventus project, named Sleive Callan of 27MW, was sold to and built out by Brookfield Renewables. Sleive Callan is in the west of County Clare.

The Electric Autobus business was founded in 2016. The business idea arose when the company founder became aware that the NZ bus market, particulary the public transport funding authorities were unaware of the rapid advancement (and price reduction) in EV bus technology in China. Ventus Energy then secured an import licence for the technology and proceeded to fund and build the first EV bus to the stringent NZ loading and capacity standards.

22
Years of Experience

Our Capabilities

Our Team

Highly Experienced And Talented Team

Ventus Energy staff are dedicated to the mission of providing smart sustainable solutions. Whilst highly skilled in one area they are all multi-talented and willing to apply themselves to any challenge. As one staff member put it: “We all revel in diversity and highly challenging situations”.

Glenn Starr – Founder and Director

• Founded Ventus NZ in 2004 and Ventus Ireland in 2000. Successfully exited two wind farm project

• Significant experience in alternative energy having initiated wind energy and electric bus businesses in NZ

• Previously civil engineer for 10 years including with Beca

Justin Smith – Civil and Electrical Works Manager

• 30 years’ experience in project design, procurement and technical services across construction, pipelines, airports and civil structures.

• Background as a professional engineer in NZ and abroad

David Thomas - Commercial Negotiator

• Responsible for strategy around electricity pricing, hedging and PPAs

• Over 30 years’ experience in the energy sector including as GM Trading for Vector and GM Generation Ops for Contact Energy.

Tom Cameron - Wind Energy Analyst

• Responsible for overseeing wind data collection, and energy assessment

• Over 20 years’ experience in wind energy implementation, including turbine procurement, installing over 100 meteorological masts

Grant Stapleton - Independent Director

• MBA, CFInstD with 30+ years of experience as a business leader, founder, CEO and Director across a variety of industries in New Zealand, Australia and the US.

• It is intended that two independent directors are appointed prior to or in conjunction with the capital raise. Ventus is currently in discussion with several highly skilled and qualified candidates for a second independent directorship position.

Christoph Vojc – Financial Advisor

• Investment banking and advisory professional with a 19 year track record in infrastructure investment and project finance. Previous experience with HSBC, World Bank Group and H.R.L. Morrison & Co.

Stephen Craen – Financial Advisor

• Energy financier with over 25 years experience with JP Morgan Chase and Societe Generale. Raised and refinanced over $40bn across EMEA and Australasia.

Consultants

Key Consultants

Ventus has established strong, long-term partnerships with key consultants critical to delivering on successful wind energy projects. The quality of these relationships support Ventus’ ability to efficiently execute on development milestones and maximise return on development expenditures.