Rural Mangaweka, New Zealand
Power cuts are a thing of the past for central North Island farmer Cameron Bunn.
When the power goes out for others, they’re quick to ask Cameron if he’s got electricity. “I say, ‘yep, my power never turns off’.
The Bunns have Base Power, which means the power stays on at their 650-hectare Mangaweka sheep and beef farm – no matter the weather.
It was a severe snowstorm that saw Cameron, Elisabeth and their two young children switch from traditional electricity lines supply to two Base Power units.
“My power never turns off. Base Power is an asset to my farm. I can say I’ve got sustainable power now, no matter the weather.”
“With no power, we don’t have any water because it’s all pumped water. Also, there are no electric fences and no way of keeping the animals behind the fence.
“It’s been really good since we’ve had Base Power – really positive. The units power my wool shed, my house, our rental home down the road, our reticulated water pump for our farm, and our other wool shed.”
The Bunn’s electricity bill has never looked so good either. With Base Power, they pay a ‘lines’ fee to their electricity distribution company, the same as they would if they still had overhead power lines, plus diesel to top up the generator.
The Bunns are impressed with the reliability of the Base Power units too.
“They’re an asset to my farm. I can say I’ve got sustainable power.”