Powerco supports Te Matatini festival
Te Matatini retail stalls are being powered by mobile electricity systems energised by the sun.
A Manaaki Sponsor of Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga, Powerco is providing a Base Power mobile stand-alone power systems (SAPS) and a mobile solar panel array, known as a ‘solar stack’, to help Te Matatini hosts provide a sustainable energy solution for festival retailers.
Commonly used to provide power during outages, this is the first time a SAPS unit has been used at an event in conjunction with a solar panel array.
“Connecting with our community is an important part of our kaupapa, and the opportunity to be part of one of the country’s largest celebrations of te ao Māori is something we’re keen to experience and support,“ says Powerco General Manager Customer Stuart Dickson.
Te Matatini o Te Kahui Maunga – the national Kapa Haka Festival is being held at New Plymouth’s Puekura/Bowl of Brooklands from Tuesday 25 February to Saturday 1 March.
“The combination of the SAPS unit with our new solar stacks is a first at a multi-day event, and it’s great seeing the units used to provide energy options for event organisers placing importance on sustainability,” says Base Power Business Manager Will Buchanan.
The mobile hybrid SAPS unit combines a 60kWh battery unit with a standard diesel generator and is designed to provide efficient, quiet, and sustainable power by optimising fuel consumption and reducing emissions. This setup ensures a reliable power supply while minimising diesel use and with the addition of the mobile solar stacks even more diesel savings are anticipated.
Powerco is also hosting a ‘rest and recharge’ area where whānau can charge their devices, take a break and refresh with food and water so they’re all set to head back into the crowd.
“Our kaimahi are excited to host some of the 40,000 plus visitors expected to attend the festival across the week and extend hospitality and offer support to whānau attending the event,” says Stuart Dickson.
