Government fund rolls out another $2.5m for school emissions

Forty one schools across New Zealand will receive a share of $2.5 million for projects to reduce school emissions and save them money.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins has announced the second round of the Sustainability Contestable Fund.

The first round, announced in April, supported projects at 53 schools.

Hipkins said the funding will go towards a range of initiatives.

"You're seeing everything from solar panels to LED lights to water projects to make better use of water. Different needs in different areas, so schools in a small rural community will have different ideas from what a larger urban school might be doing."

Hipkins said the funding would go towards initiatives such as installing new LED lighting systems, solar panels, and more efficient heating systems, as was seen in the first round of funding.

"Ladbrooks School in Halswell has installed new LED Lighting system, new low-flow tap fittings, a heat pump system to replace old electric hot water cylinders, and more efficient heat pumps to replace electric fan and panel heaters with the fund.

"At Randwick School in Lower Hutt where 48 solar panels are being installed, it's estimated that it will save the school more than $2600 in the first year they're installed. We expect the school to save more than $65,000 over 25 years."

He said he expected the projects would also help build business confidence, by providing work for local suppliers and contractors.

Schools granted funding in the second round: