At the Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards on 27 September 2025, the GNZCC project “Cook Islands – Green Future: Decentralised Solar and Hydrogen Solutions for Rarotonga (Cook Islands)” received the CITC Environment Award.
The project partner Motu Beachfront Art Villas was also recognised with three further awards: Supreme Award, Business Excellence Under $2M, and Cook Islands News Business Sustainability Award.
Funding & Project Management
- Funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUKN) as part of the Export Initiative Environmental Protection (EXI).
- Project lead: GNZCC – German-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (AHK New Zealand).
- PV rooftop systems (starting point: Kent Community Hall) with grid-supportive feed-in for hall, college, and resort.
- Short-term storage (battery) for peak load shaving and improved supply security.
- Electrolysis from PV surplus to produce green hydrogen as long-term storage; reconversion or direct use to gradually replace the planned diesel generator.
Data and Modelling Basis
High-resolution load and weather data (smart meters at all three properties, local weather station) enable site-specific system design, scenario comparisons (load shifting, storage sizes, PV expansions), and a robust economic and resilience assessment.
Transferability
The design serves as a demonstrator for Rarotonga and as a reference model for similar contexts on Pacific islands (tourism, community infrastructure, education).
Project Status (Phase 2)
With the support of the local company ICTNexus, smart meters and a weather station have been installed to collect data relevant to system design (solar radiation, wind/precipitation, load profiles).
Ostermeier H2ydrogen Solutions GmbH is analysing the data and, based on it, developing the techno-economic model for the joint microgrid.
Next Steps (Phase 3)
Based on the modelling: detailed planning and preparation for implementation (technical specification, budget, operator/maintenance model), subject to financing and coordination with partners.
