The Lines Company (TLC) is turning sunshine into support for whānau across its network, thanks to an initiative aimed at easing energy hardship in the community.
Through a TLC programme, solar panels are installed on employee homes at cost, with staff repaying the cost over three years. During the payback period, money earned from selling excess power back into the grid is gifted to households finding it hard to pay their electricity bills.
Beyond the three-year payback period, staff can continue to gift their excess solar energy voluntarily to people who are struggling with power bills.
TLC staff, working alongside the Maru Energy Trust, nominate people in the community who could benefit from the credits.
TLC said the response was always heartfelt and humbling with stories ranging from solo parents and elderly couples to caregivers supporting family members with serious health conditions.
This year’s 25 recipients include an elderly caregiver supporting a partner with Alzheimer’s in a home without insulation, while another is a solo dad raising two young children after the sudden loss of his wife. Others include grandparents caring for mokopuna, families living with chronic health conditions, and single parents juggling work, study and grief.
“This initiative reflects TLC’s pou of ‘Making a Difference’ — showing genuine concern for our community and customers,” said TLC’s Future Energy general manager, Kyle Barnes.
“It’s about more than delivering power; it’s about delivering compassion, connection and care.”
Two $75 credits – an averaging out of the amount available to gift – are applied directly to recipients’ power bills in July and August.
“We know winter is the time of year where many in our community struggle the most with energy costs, so we offer this tangible relief during these colder months,” said Barnes.
Hannah McKinlay, Future Energy project coordinator was supported by Maru team leader, Renee Parkes, who helped identify households in need.
TLC has over 18,000 customers connected to electricity throughout the King Country, Ruapehu District and Central Plateau.
