Southern Group Cook Islands Renewable Microgrids
The projects successfully delivered mini-grids on four islands within the Southern Group of the Cook
Islands – Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke and Mitiaro and significantly upgraded the medium and low voltage
networks on two of those islands; Mauke and Mitiaro.
The systems have a combined installed capacity of 1.3 MWp of solar and 7.3 MWh of battery storage and were designed to supply nearly all the electricity requirements of to almost 1,500 people across 4 islands – or about 9% of the Cook Islands’ population. Before the installation, the islands’ electricity was supplied solely by diesel generators.
Now the islands’ residents can boast that about 95 per cent of grid electricity supplying each island is generated by solar panels.
The system is reducing diesel consumption by about 360,000 litres annually and removing about 960 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.
Infratec employed 40 local people – including more than 10 women – throughout the project and sought to provide all of the local workers with knowledge and skills that would serve them and their communities after the project finished.
Infratec also supported local community projects and worked with the Cook Islands Red Cross to provide first aid kits and training to local people, including island paramedics and nurses, to increase their capacity to provide early help in emergencies.
