A small but mighty island at the bottom of New Zealand is about to get a big energy upgrade — and it could change life there dramatically.
Construction has begun on a solar farm and battery system on Stewart Island/Rakiura, with work officially starting last week. The project will help the island use far less diesel to power its homes and businesses, since Stewart Island isn’t connected to New Zealand’s main electricity grid.
Right now, islanders pay around 89 cents per kilowatt hour for electricity. That is about two and a half times more than people on the mainland. Once the solar farm is running, that cost is expected to drop by up to 35 cents per kilowatt hour, which is a massive saving for the roughly 494 households and businesses on the island.
The Government provided a $15.35 million loan to Southland District Council to make the project happen. Alongside the solar panels, new smart meters and upgrades to the electricity network will also be installed.
The project is being built by Christchurch company Infratec and is expected to be finished in early 2027. Around 40 jobs will be created during construction.
Stewart Island is home to about 400 people, along with plenty of kiwi birds, and is a popular tourist destination. This solar upgrade is seen as a game-changer for both locals and the environment.
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