New deadline for Smart Energy Challenge

Wellington's Smart Energy Challenge will start next month. Photo / Supplied

Sitting on an idea to cut emissions or boost clean technology? Wellington's Smart Energy Challenge is open for applications and has extended its deadline to Sunday.

The challenge, backed by the Wellington City Council, local social enterprises Enspiral and PledgeMe, and climate change organisation Generation Zero, is designed to support community-driven energy projects in Wellington.

The competition is open to New Zealand citizens with ideas - at any stage - that fit that focus. A maximum of ten projects will be accepted.

The seven-week programme will include workshops, mentoring and a Dragons' Den-style chance to pitch to corporate partners such as Deloitte, NZ Post, Kiwibank, Greater Wellington and Sustainability Trust.

Participants will also be supported to raise money using crowdfunding platform PledgeMe. The council will match the amount of funding raised up to a total of $20,000 across all successful projects.

"We have some pretty awesome projects applying," Smart Energy Challenge co-organiser Carlos Chambers said.

Applications confirmed so far include a solar-powered heater and fan, a project to get solar panels installed on community centres, and a car-sharing platform.

"It's quite easy to get people excited about energy," he added.

Projects listed in the inspiration section of the challenge's website include Little Sun, which is a global project to distribute solar-powered LED lamps, and New Zealand electric bike company EVLABS.

If this year's pilot programme goes well, organisers hope to extend the challenge to other councils in New Zealand.

The revised deadline for applications is 8pm Sunday March 2.

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