Cristiano Marantes is the CEO of Ara Ake, New Zealand’s Energy Innovation Centre, with a focus on the commercialization and deployment of innovative global energy solutions. Cristiano is a highly experienced energy sector executive with an extensive engineering background and an informed perspective on the potential of technologies and business opportunities in a low-emissions energy future. He also serves as a Board Member at the Electricity Authority, New Zealand’s electricity regulator.

Before joining Ara Ake, Cristiano was the Head of Technology and Innovation and Head of Engineering at Vector, the largest utility in New Zealand. His work focused on the design and development of new technology and commercial low-emissions energy solutions, including battery storage, microgrids, electric vehicles, and solar.

Prior to moving to New Zealand, Cristiano worked for UK Power Networks, the largest utility in the UK, as Chief Strategy & Regulation Officer and Head of Low Carbon Innovation. Originally from Portugal, Cristiano holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering from the University of Manchester in the UK. He and his wife have two young children.