Trust Horizon supports sustainable energy transition initiatives
Transitioning to a sustainable energy and low emissions future is a key component for limiting climate change. That’s why Trust Horizon is continuing to take action across its operations, grant-making, and investment portfolio to support an equitable energy transition.
As part of the Trust’s commitment to becoming a carbon net-zero organisation by 2023, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system has recently been installed in the Trust’s office building in Whakatāne.
The solar PV system, supplied and installed by MicroPico Systems Limited, is able to supply energy at half the Trust’s previous energy costs, while also reducing carbon emissions.
“Solar energy is a great way to take action on climate change; it reduces carbon emissions, has a financial return on investment and can contribute to creating local community energy resilience,” says Trust Horizon Chief Executive, Derek Caudwell.
The performance of the system is available to view on Trust Horizon’s website www.trusthorizon.org.nz/sustainable-energy
To help local organisations begin their own sustainable energy transition, Trust Horizon offers loans starting at $100,000 to support the installation of solar or other climate-change reduction initiatives.
The Trust also supports community organisations improve their energy efficiency, and transition away from fossil fuels with grant funding. A recent sustainable transition-focused initiative is the approval of a $59,586 grant towards the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at six Whakatāne Kāhui Ako (Community of Learning) schools. This will provide teaching and learning opportunities around energy types, flows and efficiency, as well as increasing access to and awareness of EV charging for the school community.
“The project aligns with the Trust’s priorities of helping our rohe (region) transition to a sustainable-energy and low-emissions future. Around one fifth of New Zealand’s emissions come from transport, so electric vehicles can play an important part in our fight against climate change,” says Trust Horizon Deputy Chairperson, David Bulley. “It also works to support work-ready rangatahi (youth), as many learning and upskilling opportunities will come from the project.”
Participating schools Trident High School, Whakatāne High School, Whakatāne Intermediate, Te Kura o Te Paroa, St Joseph’s School and Apanui School also have technical and procurement support from the Ministry of Education as they roll out the project.
Engineering teacher at Trident High School, Dave Dobbin, has coordinated the project.
“The Whakatane COL is excited about this project as it will not only encourage staff and students to move to electric vehicles, it will serve as an on-site teaching resource that will allow students to learn how easy it is to charge an electric vehicle,” says Dobbin.
“The charging system will have an online dashboard, which will display real-time charging and a summary of the amount of vehicle charging that has occurred. We are hugely grateful to Trust Horizon for initiating the project and providing 100% funding.”
Trust Horizon provides community funding for a range of sustainable energy-related projects. Find out more here.