Rakahanga running on solar power

Lights on in Rakahanga! After much anticipation, Rakahanga made Cook Islands history on Wednesday by becoming the first island in the Cook Islands to be virtually 100 per cent solar powered. The Rakahanga solar power system, which was funded by New Zealand under the EU/NZ Energy Access Partnership, was officially launched in a ceremony attended by a delegation from Rarotonga including Prime Minister Puna (pictured) and Joseph Mayhew from the New Zealand High Commission. The main contractor PowerSmart is now currently working on the Pukapuka system, which will shortly be followed by Palmerston, Nassau, Penrhyn, and Manihiki.