Northern Group Battery Project Update

MFEM-MPPS recently signed a contract with CBS Power Solutions Ltd for the Northern Cook Islands Battery Systems Replacement (NCIBSR) Project works.  Site visits to the Northern islands were originally scheduled for 8-13 December 2025 but due to technical issues with the chartered jet, this was rescheduled to the 19-24 January 2026. CBS Power Solutions took advantage of meeting with Government Agencies for registrations, local contractors, suppliers and logistic companies as they plan to engage local counterparts for the project.  Final details and sequencing of works for each power station will be finalised following the site visits early in the new year, ahead of procurement of specialised equipment from international suppliers.

Planned works will be carried out at eight hybrid power stations located on Palmerston, Pukapuka, Nassau, Manihiki (Tauhunu, Tukau), Rakahanga and Penryhn (Te Tautua, Omoka).  Representative from CBS Power Solutions, electrical engineers Entura, Project Manager and a Te Aponga Uira Engineer will visit these sites in the new year while engaging the Mayors, EO’s, islands governments and local businesses. The Project represents a significant step towards improving the reliability and resilience of electricity supply for communities across the Northern Group Islands. This Project responds directly to those challenges by replacing outdated batteries with modern, more robust battery energy storage systems.

The upgraded systems, together with additional solar panels will prolong the battery and equipment life on the eight hybrid power stations, with the capacity to cope with additional demands. Importantly, the Project will utilise Pa Enua power station operators and the local workforce to support the removal of obsolete equipment and the installation of the new systems. This approach is critical for building local knowledge and capacity on each island. 

Left to right: Andre Tuiravakai - MFEM, Han Wong – Entura, Ngateina Rani- Project Manager, Ajay Prasad, Shivneel Narayan and Jason Valentine – CBS Power Solutions. Project team members from Cancelled 8 December 2025 flight 

All removed batteries and equipment will be collected and sent for recycling overseas, in compliance with National and International regulations. In parallel planning, urgent site scoping works for the Southern Cook Islands Battery Systems Replacement Project is also planned for early in the New Year.