Solar power battery repairs ‘could take up to 12 months’

Arthur Neale on 16/04/2024

Rakahanga is also included in the project. The solar energy project batteries life span is 8 to 10yrs when they all need to be replaced. As batteries fail there will be an increase of diesel generator usage to top up the battery charge. This is expected because we are in the 10th year of the expected life span of the systems batteries. WW2 The 15 batteries Mr Vano is referring to that will arrive in June is to replace the failed batteries of the 2 energy stations in Tongareva. This is essential to keep the systems operational until the 'Lithium batteries replacement project ' is implemented in 25/26/27? This is the replacement batteries that Mr Ponia is referring to. Until then expect more battery failures of the original project batteries to occur and increase in diesel fuel use for all the solar energy stations in the Pae Tokerau project. Kudos to Mr Vano for boldly recommending that they increase their power tariffs from 30c because it is unsustainable etcetera . That should be the recommendationrecommendation to all the Pae Tokerau whose power tariffs is in the 30c region with the exception of Palmerston. Central govt should have a minimum power tariff policy for the Pa Enua and have it as a mandatory condition for the 'Lithium batteries replacement project'. As to 'conserve energy use', I'm afraid that horse has already bolted. After 9years of cheap/low power tariffs, we have forgotten how "to off" it at the switch.