Tourists, police and locals are among thousands set to benefit from a newly built, green energy cell site in the Kauaeranga Valley.

It is the first ‘off the grid' cell site to be built on the mainland under the Government's Rural Broadband Initiative and is powered by 60m2 of solar panelling and two 600 watt wind turbines.

The first ‘off grid' cell site to be built on the mainland under the Rural Broadband Initiative was launched in the Kauaeranga Valley on Wednesday. Photo: TCDC

The new cell site means locals, visitors and businesses are now able to access wireless broadband that's capable of fibre-like speeds up to 100Mbps.

Thames-Coromandel District Council deputy chief executive Benjamin Day says fast, reliable telecommunications services are essential for communities and businesses to thrive.

'We are delighted this new, environmentally friendly cell site is now in operation. We hope local residents and visitors alike will make strong use of these services,” says Benjamin.

The newly erected site has been built on 100m3 of concrete and is capable of delivering broadband services and mobile phone coverage to approximately 350 households and businesses from the Kopu-Hikuai Road, across the Kauaeranga Valley to Thames.

Council granted Vodafone consent to build the Kauaeranga Valley cell back in 2013, but the inability to access a nearby mains power source meant an alternative solution was needed.

Energy produced by the solar panels and wind turbines is captured in a large battery system, with a diesel generator providing reliable power backup if required.

The site is part of the Government's $300 million investment into the first phase of the RBI which has seen 135 new towers built and 336 towers upgraded across New Zealand's provincial areas.

Communications Minister Amy Adams, who attended Wednesday's official launch, says more than 266,000 Kiwi households and businesses are now able to access wireless broadband under the RBI, as a result of the Government's partnership with Vodafone.

'By 2025, I want to see 99 per cent of New Zealanders able to access broadband capable of 50 Mbps, and the remaining one per cent of New Zealanders in the hardest to reach locations able to access broadband of 10 Mbps,” says Amy.

For more information visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's website at: website: www.tcdc.govt.nz/RBI

The first selfie posted from the Kauaeranga Department of Conservation Visitor Centre. From left: Vodafone wholesales manager Steve Rieger, Thames-Coromandel councillor Diane Connors, Communications Minister Amy Adams and DOC terrestrial ecosystems manager Avi Holzapfel. Photo: TCDC