Local Response

MainPower, with the support of the community, wants to do something proactive, positive and responsible to address the region's future energy needs.

We think that running an efficient lines business; looking at ways to use energy more efficiently and developing smart, local generation is the best way to achieve this.

At the moment, our region generates no electricity. We rely on importing electricity coming to us from around the country. There is real potential for hydro, wind and solar generation in North Canterbury and Kaikoura. By using our renewable energy resources we can secure a reliable, local electricity supply for ourselves.

Using local resources to generate electricity will bring real benefits to the local North Canterbury and Kaikoura communities.

We take for granted being able to switch on a light or boil the kettle for a cup of tea. But it doesn't take a lot of thought to realise how fundamental electricity is to the way we live and work.

Being able to generate electricity locally will have a range of benefits for our community now and in the future.

• We will have a more reliable supply. And we can help protect ourselves against power shortages.
• We will help boost the local economy through new jobs and new business opportunities.
• We will keep more of your money in the community - at the moment, about a million dollars a week leaves the community to pay its electricity bills. Generating electricity locally means we can keep some of that money in the region. Because MainPower is owned by the community our profits are returned to it through the rebate in your power bills and through the other community activities we are involved with.

There are also some considerable benefits to the country as a whole.

• Every extra megawatt of renewable energy installed in New Zealand will improve our energy independence and save the country from burning and importing fossil fuels. For example, a 10 megawatt wind farm would supply 4,000 homes with electricity and displace approximately 550,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over its life span, avoiding the need to import $15 million of fossil fuel. The saved emissions are equivalent to taking 5,000 cars off the road or planting 30,000 trees.