The Cook Islands is a net importer of energy, in the form of petroleum products.
[2] Electricity consumption is 31.6 GWh, from 14 MW of installed generation capacity,[3] with most load concentrated on the main island of Rarotonga.
[6] Fuel was imported from Auckland and required long sea voyages to get to the northern atolls, resulting in high costs and occasional supply disruptions.
Since 2011 the Cook Islands has embarked on a programme of renewable energy development to improve its energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,[8] with a goal of reaching 100% renewable electricity by 2020.
[11] Electricity on Rarotonga is provided by Te Aponga Uira (TAU), a government-owned power authority established by legislation.