Community Resilience Programme

Installing solar energy systems into community buildings

We’re collaborating with Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA), Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) and community organisations to install solar energy systems (solar photo voltaic (PV) panels and batteries) into up to eight community buildings across our district by July 2026.

The programme aims to improve community resilience by providing an energy source when the electricity grid is down during an emergency or other times.

We’re working with EECA and community groups to identify which buildings will receive the solar systems but they’re likely to be a mix of marae, schools and halls spread across our district.

During an electricity outage, people will be able to go to these buildings to access power. Each building will provide different facilities, but they could be somewhere to go to charge your phone, cook food, or store food and medicines that require refrigeration.

Waikanae Memorial Hall (1)
The Waikanae Memorial Hall is being considered as a location for a solar panel system

Building owners will benefit from being able to use solar energy at other times, reducing their electricity costs as well as decreasing the building’s carbon footprint.

EECA and Council are co-funding the initiative. EECA is investing up to $500,000 and we’ve budgeted $167,000 for the scheme. Council will retain ownership of the solar energy systems and carry out the required maintenance.

Some of these buildings might be used as a community emergency hub during a large emergency such as an earthquake or tsunami.

A community emergency hub is a place where people can go to help each other in a large emergency. The hub runs without official assistance - it's a place where neighbours help each other.

During an emergency, a community emergency hub will:

  • provide a safe gathering place where people can support one another
  • provide information so people know what is happening, and how to help each other and stay safe
  • solve problems using what a community has available.

Visit www.wremo.nz to find out more, including the location of your nearest community emergency hub.