Plans have been revealed for what's believed to be New Zealand's largest solar farm.
The joint British-New Zealand venture has consent to build the 182ha Tauhei Solar Farm near Te Aroha in Waikato.
Expected to start construction this year, it aims to provide power for the equivalent of 35,000 homes.
Subject to obtaining all necessary consents and approvals, the solar farm's approximately 330,000 solar panels would generate more than 270 GWh per year, enough renewable electricity to supply the equivalent of approximately 35,000 New Zealand homes.
The joint British-Kiwi venture has consent to build the farm near Te Aroha in Waikato. (Source: 1News)
The project, which qualified for fast-track consenting via the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020 because of its economic and environmental benefits, gained consent in October 2022.
Since that time, the project has been further developed, with a final investment decision expected later this year, pending regulatory approvals. Following this, construction was also expected to commence this year.
Harmony Energy director Pete Grogan said, in a statement, the Tauhei Solar Farm would be a project that Waikato and the whole of New Zealand could be proud of.
"It will support our ambitions to reduce emissions, enhance energy security and help mitigate the negative impact of climate change.
"It will also create opportunities for local businesses, employment and significant biodiversity gains, as well as being able to generate energy alongside continued farming production," he said.
"We are thrilled to have entered a partnership with First Renewables, ensuring that New Zealand's largest solar farm has the backing of experienced renewable energy companies."
Clarus' general manager of Future Fuels James Irvine also noted in a statement the utility-scale solar generation presented a significant, complimentary, and largely untapped source of renewable energy in New Zealand, as proven in many markets overseas.
"This project is an opportunity for us to build on our desire to deliver renewable energy to meet the needs of energy consumers," he said.
Meanwhile, another company, Lodestone, aimed to complete a solar farm this year in Waiotahe, near Ōpōtiki, that would power more than nine thousand households.
Solar farms were a fast-growing part of the energy sector. The Electricity Authority told 1News the number of projects signed off more than quadrupled from 2022 to last year.
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