AWARDS FINALIST: Meridian's community decarbonisation fund

Community groups looking to decarbonise often face the steepest hurdles - including tight budgets, limited resources and competing priorities.

Recognising this, Meridian Energy launched the Community Decarbonisation Fund in 2022 - funded entirely from the net proceeds of Meridian's Certified Renewable Energy product.

Certified enables businesses to match the amount of electricity they use with an equivalent amount put into the national grid from one of Meridian's hydro stations or wind farms, which have been independently verified as producing 100 per cent renewable electricity.

Every dollar of net proceeds is reinvested - not into corporate resources but into community-led electrification projects that reduce emissions, lower operating costs and improve lives.

Projects

Since its inception, the fund has distributed almost $3 million to more than 40 community groups with projects spanning the country and the spectrum of need - from solar panel installations and electric vehicle purchases, to electric boiler upgrades and battery storage systems.

Last year alone, the fund supported 24 projects, including 10 EVs, 12 solar projects, one boiler electrification and one battery system. The project's first combined solar and battery system was installed at the High Country Medical Trust in Twizel.

With funding from the programme, the trust installed almost 70 kW of solar panels and 64 kWh of battery storage. The upgrade not only slashes the centre's power bills, freeing up funds for essential healthcare services, but it also provides resilience during outages - critical in a region prone to natural disruptions.

The impact of the fund is measured not just in kilowatts and carbon, but in community transformation.

Last year, Meridian partnered with BraveTrace to quantify emissions reductions, avoiding 2389 tonnes of CO₂ - well above the project's 2040-tonne target.

Beyond emissions

Meridian's selection panel also looks beyond emissions, prioritising projects that deliver broader social, economic, and environmental benefits.

To amplify the scheme's reach, Meridian launched a marketing campaign last year that uses digital platforms, storytelling videos and a Certified Impact & Transparency Report to engage customers and showcase success stories.

Applications to the fund more than doubled, from 56 in 2023 to 138 last year.

Meridian aims to continue scaling the fund, increasing total emissions reductions while reducing the abatement cost per tonne.

The annual Energy Excellence Awards will be held in Wellington on 13 August. The Low Carbon Future Award is sponsored by Energy Resources Aotearoa.