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Download AudioSome homes which are part of a renewable energy trial for Māori and state housing have been able to halve their power bills.
Housing Ministers Peeni Henare and Megan Woods today announced 12 new small scale projects which will help 180 Māori households, as well as the installation of solar panels on 100 public homes in the Wellington region.
Some of the projects support broader energy benefits, such as bringing energy independence to remote communities, supporting Māori energy businesses, building skills, and enabling mana whenua to return to traditional energy sources.
Mr Henare says 14 Rotorua households involved in a solar power trial by Te Arawa Whānau Ora in the first funding round saved on average about $100 on their monthly power bills over summer– a reduction of between 30 and 50 per cent.
“If we’re serious about our emission and becoming carbon neutral and all these things but I think also cost of living is difficult, and if you can remove the cost of power in a house, why would we not continue to pursue that avenue,” he says.
Minister Henare says so far $4.3 million has been spent on projects in the first two rounds, and another $9 million is now available in the final round.
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