UK-based renewables developer, Harmony Energy has received approval for two New Zealand solar projects which will add nearly 150 MW to its portfolio together.
Harmony Energy Secures Two Solar Farms on NZ’s North Island
Harmony Energy is advancing its New Zealand project pipeline with the approval of resource consent for two new solar farms on the North Island: the 75 MW Opunake farm and the 73.5 MW Marton farm. The Marton Solar Farm will consist of around 165,000 solar panels spread over a 93-hectare site near Palmerston North. The Opunake Solar Farm located in the Taranaki region, will feature roughly 175,000 solar panels across 58 hectares.
Solar Projects to Create 400 Jobs and Power 30,000 NZ Homes
The projects are anticipated to generate around 400 direct full-time equivalent jobs during the 12 to 18-month construction phase. Upon completion, the sites are expected to produce enough electricity to power approximately 30,000 New Zealand homes according to the developer's estimates.
Image: Collected
The Opunake and Marton solar farms were two of three Harmony projects fast-tracked under New Zealand’s Consenting Act last year to expedite renewable energy development. New Zealand’s Minister for the Environment referred the projects to an expert consenting panel under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.
“Solar farms not only support our environmental and energy security goals, but they’ll also help local businesses flourish through job creation and economic growth. Renewable energy infrastructure is essential for the future of our planet and Harmony Energy is proud to be at the forefront of this change,” said Pete Grogan, Harmony Energy Director.
Harmony Energy Awaits Decision on Third Solar Farm Project
Harmony anticipates a decision soon on the third project, the 100 MW Carterton Solar Farm which is being developed north of Wellington on the southern part of the North Island. A financial decision on the Tauhei Solar Farm is anticipated later this year, with construction expected to begin shortly afterwards and the solar farm projected to be operational by 2026.
Grogan noted that the projects are integral to the company’s broader New Zealand strategy which also encompasses the 147 MW Tauhei Solar Farm in the Waikato region. This project is being developed in partnership with First Renewables, a division of the NZ energy group Clarus.
“Obtaining resource consent for these projects represents another milestone for the NZ business. Construction of the Tauhei Solar Farm is on track to start this spring so it’s great to know there’s more in the pipeline,” "Harmony Energy director Pete Grogan highlighting that the projects will enable continued farming activities and include native planting to boost biodiversity and ecology.