Tourism can be sustainable – Shotover Jet commits to first 100% electric jet boat.
17/10/2019
As part of an exciting initiative, Ngāi Tahu Tourism has been awarded $200,000 to convert one of their petrol-powered boat to run on electricity. This makes their company Shotover Jet the first tourism company in the world to operate a fully-electric jet boat.
Shotover Jet run heart-pounding jet-boat adventures on the Kimiākau (Shotover River) in Queenstown, as well as in other locations around New Zealand. Known as one of the world’s most thrilling jet-boat rides, more than 4 million people have experienced the Shotover Jet since it started operating in 1965.
With renewable energy, the Shotover Jet will continue to excite tourists long into the future and do it with no fuel emissions.
The funding comes from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), and will cover around 36% of the project’s total cost. EECA is a government agency working to make New Zealand a world leader in clean and renewable energy. They’re working on a range of initiatives to help improve energy efficiency and sustainability in business, transport, and personal sectors. Businesses can apply for loans and access a contestable fund for energy projects, which is what Ngāi Tahu Tourism has done under the Marine Electrification Fund.
Other exciting projects backed by the Marine Electrification Fund
As well as the Shotover Jet project, funds have been granted to:
Viaduct Harbour water taxis and tours: EECA will cover 17% of the cost of converting two ferries to electric propulsion.
Petroleum Logistics: 40% of the cost of a project to install a marine fast charger at Westhaven Marina and to retrofit a marina work boat with electric outboard motor and batteries.
Black Cat Cruises: are building a 70-seat electric passenger ferry to run between Lyttelton and Diamond Harbour, EECA funding will cover 6% of this cost.
Lofty goals backed by action
Ngāi Tahu Tourism is working to become carbon neutral by 2040. They’re already well on their way to achieve their goal with proactive projects to reduce emissions and to create a more sustainable workplace. They have already received funding from the EECA to help with the installation of electric car chargers at five of their locations.
If the company deems the trial successful, it will potentially roll out the technology across its entire fleet.
It’s really exciting to see companies embracing renewable energy and creating new initiatives to work toward carbon neutrality. For more information about the Shotover Jet and EECA funding, check out the Stuff article.
