Solar panels supplied by the Australian Defence Force are helping Cook Islands Police address their financial troubles.

At a time when the Police Service has been financially crippled by huge power costs, the Maritime Surveillance Centre (MSC) at Avatiu harbour has made major strides in reducing its operational costs.

Thanks to the installation of solar panels by the Australian Defence Force, the Police Service is on track to take at least $18,000 off its annual power bill.

The 60kW system was installed in five days last week and is powering the MSC as a standalone renewable energy facility, contributing to a greener future.

Maritime Surveillance advisor Lieutenant Commander David Longhurst said “it’s nice to have the building properly finished and completely self-sufficient..

“It’s a powerful system, and we’re hoping to offset some of the cost of keeping the ship (Te Kukupa II) alongside.”

Te Kukupa II, the Cook Islands Police patrol boat, is powered continuously when it is in port to keep its systems running all the time. By a connection to Te Aponga Uira’s grid.

The patrol boat incurs separate power costs to the MSC of about $15,000 per month. 

The new solar system can generate enough electricity to meet the power needs of both the building and the patrol boat at port. 

Longhurst said when the solar system covers both the maritime office and the ship, they hope to save around $200,000 per year in power bills in the police budget.

Australia High Commissioner Phoebe Smith said under the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP), Australia is proud to work with Cook Islands police to support the country’s maritime security priorities.

“This is a great example of how we can work together to reduce costs, improve energy efficiencies and strengthen capabilities in maritime surveillance, including to support the Police patrol boat Te Kukupa II.

“The PMSP stands as a cornerstone of the Australian Defence Force’s engagement in the region, building upon three decades of success from the original Pacific Patrol Boat Programme and reinforcing Australia’s commitment to maritime security over the next 30 years,” Smith said.

Seven construction unit members in the Australian Army completed the solar installation tasked under the Department of Defence Indo-Pacific Infrastructure Branch (Pacific Division). 

A container of the solar system equipment was shipped to Rarotonga. Everything else was bought locally.

Local contractors Prime Solutions contributed to the project providing the electrical work.

The installation is comprised of 90 solar panels, an inverter system and storage bank, which can easily be expanded in electricity capacity. 

Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt said they are producing up to six times more than what the building needs and ideally they would like to offset all of their costs by returning power to the grid. 

“Any serious consideration of reducing the costs of these national assets would promote full RE power to be maximized. 

“The solar project adds considerable value to the patrol boat programme, and to a facility that supports maritime police efforts in upholding national security priorities around surveillance,” Pitt said.

The police service leadership is grateful for the support of the Government of Australia, the Australian High Commission, Cook Islands, and the Department of Defence.