''We wanted to support [Awarua Synergy] and put our money where our mouth is,'' Te Runaka o Awarua chairman Hana Morgan said.
The runaka owns Invercargill-based Awarua Synergy, which specialises in energy solutions for homes, farms and businesses across Southland.
The marae's 9m-high Kingspan 3kW wind turbine arrived from Scotland late last month, and is expected to be installed and operational in the next month.
Mrs Morgan said she believed the marae was the first in New Zealand to install a wind turbine.
In a bid to be more energy efficient, the group also plans to install solar panels and LED lights to power the marae and its neighbouring early childhood centre.
The turbines and solar panels would cost at least $70,000, funded from the runaka's own resources, Mrs Morgan said.
It was hoped the new systems would generate sufficient electricity for all the marae and child-care centre's needs, with the cost recouped within three to five years, she said.
At present, the annual electricity bill was about $30,000.
''If we can reduce that significantly, we will be happy,'' Mrs Morgan said.
A small battery-operated generator was also being installed and would be charged using any surplus energy generated by the turbine.
Awarua Synergy general manager Sumaria Beaton said the generator would act as a back-up in the event of a civil defence emergency, enabling the marae to provide a safe and warm place for members of the community.
- Petrina Wright
