Switching off gas boilers and powering up solar rooftops

Switching off gas boilers and switching on solar rooftops

Across Tāmaki Makaurau, some of Auckland Council’s best‑used public spaces are undergoing a practical, behind‑the‑scenes transformation. No big fanfare, just steady work to make the places we rely on every day cleaner, cheaper to run, and better for the future of Auckland.

Phasing out gas boilers

For years, pools and leisure centres across Auckland have relied on large gas boilers to keep the water warm. They’ve done the job, but they’re carbon‑heavy (aquatic centres are responsible for a whopping 36 per cent of the council's total greenhouse gas emissions), they’re expensive to operate, and increasingly out of step with the direction our city is heading. So, we’re phasing them out.

Sites like Moana‑Nui‑a‑Kiwa in Māngere and Stanmore Bay Pool and Leisure Centre have already swapped their gas systems for high‑efficiency electric heat pumps. These upgrades cut emissions significantly while they reduce operating costs and free up funds that can be put back into services for the community.

The council is currently on track to finish West Wave Pool in Henderson, Manurewa Pool and Lloyd Elsmore Park Pool and Leisure Centre in Pakuranga. Once complete these projects will reduce emissions from gas consumption by approximately 190 tonnes per year. Auckland Council Asset Sustainability Specialist, Richard Gregory says, 

“It’s a practical step, not an ideological one. The kind of decision many households across Auckland are making too, just on a slightly bigger scale.”

“Given what we are seeing overseas and the vulnerability of the oil and gas industry it couldn’t be a better time for the council to make the switch from gas-dependent systems to more resilient energy infrastructure.”

Solar panels going on rooftops – Project Gigawatt

Across the Auckland region, more council buildings are starting to generate their own electricity using solar panels (solar photovoltaics). Through Project Gigawatt, we have already installed 40 solar photovoltaic systems, turning everyday community buildings into local power stations.

The impact is tangible. Together, these systems now generate around 2.7 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity each year, delivering 2.184 megawatts of installed capacity, energy that would otherwise need to be purchased from the grid. That translates into around $600,000 in annual electricity savings, reducing long‑term operating costs for the council.

Project Gigawatt developed from a desire in the council to explore how, as the economy electrifies, solar photovoltaic technology is being used to minimise energy use in our community facilities and demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and low-cost energy resilience.

Libraries, community centres, and pools from Albany Stadium Pool down to Blockhouse Bay Community Centre and the Orere War Memorial Hall have solar panels installed. For many places, it’s the first time their rooftops have been anything more than shelter from the rain.

“Every panel helps reduce power bills and cuts emissions at the same time. And because solar works quietly in the background, most people won’t notice a thing, other than the fact their local facility stays affordable to run and comfortable to use”, says Richard.

Alan Brewster Leisure Centre in Papatoetoe is one of the larger installations which means the centre has now become a self-producer of clean, green energy. This will result in operational savings, reduce carbon and export excess power back to the grid to increase revenue. This system is projected to provide an annual yield of 176.72 megawatt hours of power and reduce the carbon footprint by 17.84 tonnes of CO2 per year.

It’s a slow, steady shift – one boiler replacement, one solar array, one building at a time. But together, these actions show how climate progress can be practical, grounded, and community‑focused.

Keen to make changes at home?

Find out how to make the switch from gas to electric which will cut down your energy bill and reduce your household emissions.

Considering adding solar panels to your rooftop? We’ve got the information you need to kickstart the process here.