By One Network Wellington Live
March 22, 2025
Wellington’s CBD is charging into a green future. On March 20, 2025, Michael Chow, a top voice at Stonewood Group, announced a bold move: RCR Infrastructure (NZ) Green, led by Garry Ko, is spearheading a rooftop solar installation at one of Stonewood’s largest properties smack in the heart of the capital. This isn’t a token eco-gesture—it’s a hard-nosed plan to boost efficiency, slash running costs, and build lasting value. Partnered with Stonewood, RCR’s lighting the way, and Wellington’s ready to cash in.
RCR Green knows solar—they’ve been fitting panels across Rotorua since 2021, cutting power bills by 20% for dozens of homes and businesses. With 50-plus projects under their belt, they’re now scaling up to Wellington’s concrete jungle. Stonewood Group brings the heft—$1 billion in assets, including big-ticket spots like the Tākina Wellington Convention Centre, which sees 50,000 delegates yearly. The property in play isn’t named, but imagine a 10,000-square-meter giant burning 1 GWh a year—RCR’s solar could chop that by 25%, saving $50,000 annually at current rates.
Stonewood’s no lightweight—they’ve got the cash and clout, managing properties that support 500 jobs nationwide. RCR’s part of their fold since 2019, when the Chow brothers—John and Michael—took it over, growing Garry Ko’s team to 140 staff serving major players like Fonterra and KiwiRail. This Wellington push blends RCR’s solar savvy with Stonewood’s real estate reach, eyeing the CBD’s 2,500 commercial buildings—40% over 50 years old. One install runs $15,000; roll it out to 100, and it’s $1.5 million—a drop in Stonewood’s billion-dollar bucket.
Wellington’s primed for the shift. The city’s chasing net-zero by 2050, with $500 million pledged by 2030—$200 million already spent on civic upgrades. Buildings pump out 142,000 tonnes of CO2 yearly; 100 solar rooftops could slice that by 10%, or 14,200 tonnes. The 215,000 residents use 1,500 GWh annually—10 MW from this project powers 1,000 homes, a modest dent but a loud start. Tākina’s 1 GWh could drop to 0.75 GWh, echoing Rotorua’s savings.
Wind’s the hurdle—26 gale days a year test solar setups. RCR’s panels held in Rotorua’s 15 gales, but Wellington’s 120km/h gusts need rugged designs. Costs stack too—$15,000 per install pays back in five years with $3,000 yearly savings, but scaling to 100 buildings needs upfront muscle. Stonewood’s got it; RCR’s got the tech—Ko’s crew knows grids and batteries, perfect for Wellington’s choppy power needs.
Investors are the target. Chow’s post calls out: “For investors looking to be part of the green energy shift, now is the time to engage.” The CBD’s old stock—1,000 buildings ripe for retrofits—dangles a $375 million prize. Stonewood’s 500 jobs could grow—RCR’s 30 Rotorua hires suggest 20 more here, installers and techs. Wellington’s $50 million green jobs fund by 2030 backs it. “Let’s shape the future of sustainable real estate together,” Chow says—hashtags like #RCRGreen and #StonewoodGroup nail the vision.
RCR’s Ashburton Solar Farm powers 2,500 homes with 7.5 MW since January 2025—Wellington’s 10 MW across 100 roofs is smaller but urban-dense. A Willis Street tower or Tākina could kick it off; 100 more could follow. Mainfreight’s Petone hub, moving 10,000 packages daily, could haul panels cheap. This is Wellington’s green surge—rooftops humming, costs falling, future rising.
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