Taranaki Community Energy Activator

‍Explore. Learn. Connect.

The Taranaki Community Energy Activator was a free 13-week immersive programme designed to support communities across Taranaki to explore, learn and connect around their energy needs, aspirations and project ideas.

Through a mix of in-person hui, site visits, and weekly online sessions, the programme created a dynamic, collaborative space where communities learnt from one another and from experienced advisors from around the motu.

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Why community energy?

Community energy is emerging as a powerful way for local groups, such as neighbourhoods, iwi, businesses or community groups, to take charge of how energy is generated, stored and used.

As Aotearoa New Zealand transitions toward a low-emissions future, community energy projects are proving their value by:

• Reducing energy costs
• Easing pressure on the electricity network
• Building stronger, more resilient communities
• Reducing emissions

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What is the Community Energy Activator?

To help more of these projects take shape, Powerco, Ara Ake, Community Energy Network and Community Energy Taranaki collaborated to launch the Activator in Taranaki.

The Activator is a hands-on, supportive programme that empowered groups with the knowledge, tools, and connections to explore what community energy could look like.

The programme is based on Ara Ake’s Community Energy How to Guide and welcomes participants at any stage of the journey. If your community is curious about energy independence and wants to explore local solutions together, the Activator is a great place to begin.

The Activator was first launched in Canterbury in 2024, with nine groups taking part. Their projects ranged from installing solar panels for youth centres and community housing, to exploring off-grid solutions and donating surplus renewable energy to households in need.

Read more about the community energy activators in Canterbury and Taranaki

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