More than 1,000 solar panels are officially working in the northern Cook Islands of Penrhyn and Manihiki.
The project is expected to provide 95% of the electricity and give power to more than 230 buildings. This is a $250 million investment in the Cook Islands which already has solar panels in many isles.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said: “these projects will save approximately 230,000 litres of imported diesel per year and free up Cook Island government funds for other development priorities.
“New Zealand has been supporting a major push to increase the uptake of renewable energy in the Pacific. Our work in the Cook Islands is part of a wider $100 million investment renewable energy across seven Pacific countries.”