A proposal to establish a solar farm and reduce Rakiura/Stewart Island's reliance on diesel generated electricity by up to 75%, was presented to a meeting on the island yesterday (16 Jan) by the Southland District Council (SDC).

The proposal is part of a SDC plan that would see electricity on the island eventually generated by renewable energy, giving residents reliable and relatively affordable electricity as well as enhancing tourism and aquaculture for the island.

Eighty islanders turned up to hear Mayor Rob Scott, Councillor Jon Spraggon and Community board chair Aaron Conner outline the proposal, supported by technical experts from management and design engineering company PTM.

PTM were commissioned after the council securing $300,000 in government funding from the government.

A draft document with various options was given to the SDC steering group just before Christmas in December 2024.

Mayor Scott said it had been a good meeting with people asking excellent questions and showing a high level of engagement and support for the planned approach.

“It has been the steering group’s priority to get something done about the cost of electricity on the island for the past 18 months, as the impact on islanders is high, and this has been a talking point for several years.”

The preferred option (Option 4), stage one of a plan to make Stewart Island more energy self-sufficient, would see the installation of a 2MW solar farm and a 4MWh battery.

“We have agreed that a staged approach will be the best way to achieve immediate benefits and to go with the recommended option, which will not only reduce reliance on diesel to a large extent but also be a more future proof solution.

“The first stage is to create a solar energy farm with batteries on appropriate land. This will supplement the diesel generators, not replace them, and so improvements are planned for the whole network and to ensure the generators are operating in the most efficient way,” Scott said.

However implementation of the stage will require further government assistance as it was impossible for 400 residents to cover the capital costs.

“Council will be submitting a proposal to the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the funding of this project very soon as," Scott said.

"This is a one-off investment that will give new life to the island and secure a strong future for the islanders."

A second stage would involve implementing another source of renewable energy, possibly wind.

Council wants to keep the momentum going and there will be further investigation of the source while implementation of stage one is underway.

Scott said the council was excited about the plan and the agreed option and we are looking forward to working with the government to support the community on something the islanders have wanted for a long time.