MainPower New Energy Fund
The MainPower New Energy Fund supports local projects and initiatives that help build a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for our region.
The MainPower New Energy Fund opens once every year, providing up to $100,000 of financial assistance to local organisations, businesses, individuals, and any other entity within the MainPower network area (Kainga/Scotts Valley, Waimakariri, Hurunui, and Kaikōura).
We’re here to help. Get in touch if you need help. Or, check out our FAQs.
About the fund
Previously called the MainPower Decarbonisation Fund, the MainPower New Energy Fund supports projects that make it easier for our customers and communities to adopt smarter, lower‑emission energy solutions and play an active role in the transition to a more modern energy system.
What the fund supports
The New Energy Fund supports a broad range of projects and initiatives including:
- Renewable generation projects
- Energy storage and system resilience
- Electrification initiatives including EVs and charging, and fuel switching to electric technologies.
- Research, pilots, and innovation
- Community and customer programmes including new energy initiatives that support energy hardship and energy efficiency.
- Network and grid innovation
MainPower New Energy Fund process
Online applications
Applicants are encouraged to review the terms and conditions and submit a brief application online.
More information
Shortlisted applicants will be required to complete a more detailed application and provide further information.
Funding round closes
The deadline for applications is typically two months after the funding round opens
Committee review
A committee of MainPower representatives will review the shortlisted applications.
Funding decision
Applicants will be advised of the outcome in writing.
The MainPower New Energy Fund is open for applications
Applications close on 31 August 2026
Before starting your application we encourage you to:
- Read the fund Terms and Conditions
- Read the fund FAQs (below)
- Read the ‘tips for applications’ (below)
If you have any questions about the fund, click here to get in touch.
- Submit an application
The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. Monday 30 June 2025.
You can navigate between the different pages using the next and previous buttons. You can click on “Save and Continue Later” at any stage to receive a link that you can use to return to this form at a later stage. The link will be available for 30 days.
Please read the New Energy Fund terms and conditions carefully to make sure you meet the funding criteria.
To complete the initial application form, you will need key information about the project, including:
- organisation details.
- application contact person details.
- Information about the project, including it’s objectives and community benefits.
- budget and funding information.
If your project is shortlisted, you will be asked to provide more detailed information before the final funding decision is made.
Fill in the form on a single browser tab. If you edit the same form in multiple browser tabs, or if multiple people are editing the form at the same time, information may be lost.
Make sure you have entered all the information before you press “submit”. You will not be able to edit a form once submitted. Talk to us if you have concerns about what you have submitted.
If any information in your application is confidential, you must let us know upon submission.
The MainPower New Energy Fund supports local projects and initiatives that help build a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for our region.
The fund is focused on “new energy” solutions, including renewable generation, energy innovation, and electrification, as well as technologies that improve reliability and resilience across our network.
By supporting a wide range of community, business, and industry initiatives, the fund aims to make it easier for our customers and communities to adopt smarter, lower‑emission energy solutions and play an active role in the transition to a more modern energy system.
The fund is open to local organisations, businesses, individuals, and any other entity working on a new energy project.
Applicants based on the MainPower network are eligible to apply. Groups located outside the network are also eligible to apply if they can demonstrate benefit to the communities within the network.
Please check our terms and conditions for full funding eligibility.
The New Energy Fund supports a broad range of projects and initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable and resilient energy system. this could include, but isn’t limited to the below examples.
- Renewable generation projects
- Development or expansion of solar, wind, or hydro generation
- Community or distributed energy projects, such as local solar installations
- Upgrades to existing renewable infrastructure
- Energy storage and system resilience
- Grid‑scale battery installations
- Behind‑the‑meter storage for homes or businesses
- Technologies that improve outage resilience and backup supply
- Network and grid innovation
- Smart grid technologies and automation
- Integration of distributed energy resources (DERs)
- Voltage optimisation, load management, and digital monitoring tools
- Electrification initiatives
- Public or private EV charging networks
- Electrification of transport fleets or industrial processes
- Decarbonisation and emissions reduction
- Industrial efficiency upgrades
- Energy-related projects aligned with national emissions reduction and climate targets
- Research, pilots, and innovation
- Trials of emerging technologies
- Partnerships with universities, research organisations, or startups
- Proof‑of‑concept projects that are not yet commercially viable
- Community and customer programmes
- Initiatives that support energy hardship, such as solar for low‑income households
- Education and engagement on energy and efficiency
- Local sustainability and community energy projects
We are only able to accept online applications via our website. MainPower will not accept applications submitted through any other means.
Up to $100,000 of funding is available annually. This can be allocated to one or multiple successful applications based on the project’s merit and demonstrated benefits towards cleaner, decentralised, and digitally enabled energy systems.
The application process is:
- Online applications
Applicants are encouraged to review the terms and conditions and submit a brief application online. - More information
Shortlisted applicants will be required to complete a more detailed application and provide further information. - Funding round closes
The deadline for applications is typically two months after the funding round opens - Committee review
A committee of MainPower representatives will review the shortlisted applications. If more information is needed, we will be in touch. - Funding decision
Applicants will be advised of the outcome in writing.
Yes and no. You can submit applications for different projects, but only one application per individual project will be considered.
We’re here to help
If you need some assistance or advice, please get in touch with our team.
