Latest news with #CertifiedRenewableEnergy
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Meridian's Fast-Charging EV Hub At Auckland Airport Takes Off
Meridian Energy has today opened a fast-charging hub at Auckland Airport, marking a major milestone in New Zealand's transition to more sustainable transport. Purpose-built to meet the real-world needs of electric vehicle (EV) drivers, this state-of-the-art facility is a leap forward in accessibility, efficiency and environmental impact. 'As New Zealand's largest city and the leader in EV adoption, Auckland is the ideal place for us to launch Meridian's first fast-charging hub,' says Joanna Yip, Meridian Public Charging Product Manager. 'Auckland Airport is a high-traffic gateway for both locals and international visitors, so it's the perfect location to showcase our commitment to decarbonisation and driver-centric design.' Strategically located at the Auckland Airport Shopping Precinct, the hub features: • 5 x DC fast chargers (up to 160kW), each with two charge points to ensure 10 vehicles can charge at once • Dynamic power allocation to reduce wait times and maximise efficiency • Two chargers designed and prioritised for drivers with greater accessibility needs. The chargers accommodate wheelchair users with sufficient space to navigate around the vehicle and charger and feature an adjustable user screen to suit various heights. • A drive-through charger for EVs towing trailers, boats or caravans • CCS + CHAdeMO connectors to support a wide range of EV models • Room to grow, with space to add more chargers as demand increases 'We've designed this hub to tackle real pain points for drivers — especially queuing. We've listened to the EV community and built a site that's accessible, efficient and supporting communities to decarbonise,' says Joanna Yip. Every kilowatt delivered at the hub is matched with Certified Renewable Energy generated by Meridian's hydro stations and wind farms, ensuring that every charge supports renewable energy generation. Charging at this site also helps fund community decarbonisation projects through Meridian's Certified Renewable Energy programme. 'We're aiming to become the largest public EV charging provider in the country, and planning to expand its Certified Renewable Energy product across our public charging network so this launch is just the beginning.'
NZ Herald
23-06-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Kaibosh gets a clean-energy boost in the fight against food waste
Five million kilograms of food saved. Eleven million meals delivered. And now, two electric vans on the road. Since 2008, Wellington-based food rescue charity Kaibosh has rescued the equivalent of 250 fully loaded supermarket trucks of food, keeping it out of landfill and getting it to people in need. 'One in four children in Aotearoa often or sometimes go without food,' says Susie Robertson, Kaibosh's chief executive. 'For Māori children, it's one in three. For Pacific children, it's one in two. That's the reality we're facing.' Kaibosh runs seven days a week, collecting surplus food from supermarkets, growers and markets, sorting it at one of three regional bases, and redistributing it to 154 partner charities across the Wellington region. All food is donated and distributed free of charge. 'We don't purchase food, and we don't charge anyone for it,' says Robertson. 'Everything we collect is rescued and everything we give out is free to community groups, food banks, marae and others supporting people in need.' Now, with the help of Meridian Energy's Community Decarbonisation Fund, Kaibosh is also cutting its transport emissions, a key step in staying true to its 'zero food poverty, zero food waste' mission. 'It's a no-brainer,' says Robertson. 'We're already fighting climate change by keeping food out of landfill. Switching to electric vans means we're not undoing that good work on the road.' The Decarbonisation Fund provided Kaibosh with two electric vans, supporting its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint while continuing to collect and distribute large volumes of fresh food. The environmental benefits are just as powerful. Food waste in landfill is a major source of methane, one of the most damaging greenhouse gases. 'Methane does immediate harm to the atmosphere,' says Robertson. 'So every kilo of food we save makes a difference, not just to people, but to the planet.' Meridian's support means Kaibosh can keep expanding its reach without undermining its environmental mission. Electric vans had always aligned with the organisation's values, but the high upfront costs limited adoption. 'Most community groups are running off the smell of an oily rag,' says Robertson. 'EVs are expensive. We couldn't have done this without Meridian's help.' The Decarbonisation Fund helps community organisations cut emissions through real-world electrification, from solar panels to EVs and energy-efficient upgrades. The fund is powered by the net proceeds of Meridian's Certified Renewable Energy product, which enables businesses to match the amount of electricity they use with an equivalent amount of electricity put into the national grid from one of Meridian's hydro stations or wind farms which have been independently verified as producing 100% renewable electricity. All net proceeds go towards decarbonisation projects like Kaibosh's, and since 2022 the fund has invested a total of nearly $3 million. 'There's a real alignment in values between Meridian and Kaibosh,' says Robertson. 'We're both about reducing emissions and creating a more sustainable Aotearoa. It's a great fit.' Those values also run deep for Robertson herself. 'I've worked in youth health and development, but I've always cared about the environment too,' she says. 'Kaibosh brings those two worlds together - people and planet.' Robertson says nearly three-quarters of the food Kaibosh provides to communities is made up of produce, dairy, meat and eggs, the kind of food many families now struggle to afford. 'We're not just giving out calories, we're giving people real, nutiritious food, food they'd feel proud to serve their whānau.' Kaibosh's partner services range from housing organisations to marae. The need is growing fast. 'We're seeing families where both parents are working and still can't afford to put food on the table,' she says. 'They're one unexpected bill away from real hardship.' That's why partnerships like the one with Meridian matter so much. 'With support like this, we can do even more,' says Robertson. 'More food rescued, fewer emissions, and more dignity for the people we're here to serve.'
