| Te Aponga Uira O Tumu-Te-Varovaro | |
| Type: | SOE |
| Predecessor: | Cook Islands Department of Electric Power Supply |
| Industry: | Electricity generation Electricity retailing |
| Revenue: | CI$21,176,109 (2013) |
| Net Income: | CI$1,643,204 (2013) |
| Owner: | Cook Islands Investment Corporation (100%) |
| Num Employees: | 54 (2013)[1] |
| Location City: | Rarotonga |
| Location Country: | Cook Islands |
Te Aponga Uira O Tumu-Te-Varovaro (TAU) is a Cook Islands electricity generator, distributor and retailer which provides electricity to the island of Rarotonga. It is responsible for 90% of the Cook Islands' electricity generation.[2] It is a state-owned enterprise, wholly owned by the Cook Islands Government through the Cook Islands Investment Corporation.
Te Aponga Uira was established by the Te Aponga Uira O Tumu-Te-Varovaro Act 1991.[3] Structured as a perpetual body corporate, it has the statutory objectives of "provid[ing] energy to all consumers in a reliable and economical manner" while operating in "an efficient and profitable manner having due regard to the interests of the community".[4] Upon its creation it took over the assets and liabilities of the Cook Islands' Department of Electric Power Supply.[5] Originally responsible to the Minister of Energy and with statutory advice functions, control was transferred in 1999 to the Cook Islands Investment Corporation, and a social responsibility requirement was imposed.[6] It must also conform to government policy directives, such as the Cook Islands Renewable Electricity Chart.[2]
The company operates two power stations on Rarotonga:
| Name | Type | Location | Capacity (kW) | Derated Capacity (kW) | Annual generation (average TWh) | Commissioned | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | Avatiu | 12160 | 9760 | [7] | ||||
| Solar PV | Avarua | 960 | 960 | 2014 |
The company had a net metering policy in place since November 2009 to encourage the installation of distributed solar generation,[8] but reversed its policy in 2015 over concerns about grid stability.[9]
During the COVID-19 pandemic the company provided free electricity to its domestic users and discounted electricity to businesses.[10]