Solar energy systems to boost community resilience across Kāpiti
22 Dec 2025
Kāpiti Coast District Council is partnering with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO), and local community organisations to install solar energy systems in key community buildings across the district.
By July 2026, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage systems will be installed in up to eight community buildings. The initiative will strengthen community resilience by providing access to power when the electricity grid is down during an emergency or other outage.
While each building will provide different facilities, they will serve as places people can go during a power outage to charge their phone, cook food, and possibly store essential medicines and perishable items.
At other times, the solar systems will reduce electricity costs and lower the carbon footprint of each building.
EECA and Council are co-funding the initiative, with EECA contributing up to $500,000 and Council investing $167,000. Council will own and maintain the solar systems to ensure long-term reliability.
Council’s Group Manager Infrastructure and Asset Management Sean Mallon says the programme is a practical step towards improving energy resilience and sustainability in Kāpiti.
“These installations will make a real difference in an emergency, helping our communities stay connected and supported. At the same time, they’ll help reduce energy costs and emissions year-round.
“We’re working with EECA and community groups to finalise the buildings which will receive the solar systems, but they’re likely to be a mix of marae, schools and halls spread across our district.”
Richard Briggs, Group Manager Delivery and Partnerships at EECA, says the projects will be a lifeline, ensuring community facilities stay powered-up during blackouts as well as reducing electricity costs.
“Previous co-funding recipients who’ve installed solar panels and batteries have told us their monthly power costs for community facilities regularly used are lower for schools, marae, community halls and sports clubs,” he says.
“We’ve already seen other community hubs use solar and batteries during disasters to keep the lights on, charge phones and run essential equipment. Now, people in the Kapiti Coast district will have some comfort knowing that they have safe, community-run refuges they can turn to with a secure battery backed power supply, too.”
Renee Santos, Local Community Resilience Advisor with WREMO said: “In an emergency, the people around you are your biggest source of support. Having a place to gather, share information, and solve problems together is crucial. Access to power in some areas also makes this a real boost for community response.”