Meridian Energy, a New Zealand-based utility has received resource consent to construct a 120 MW solar farm in Tai Tokerau, Northland, approximately 140 kilometres north of Auckland. This marks Stage 2 of its Ruakākā Energy Park project.
Meridian Energy to Develop Ruakākā Solar Farm in Northland
Meridian Energy, a state-owned energy company in New Zealand has received approval to develop the 120 MW Ruakākā Solar Farm in Tai Tokerau Northland. This project will incorporate 250,000 solar PV modules and is expected to generate between 150 and 250 GWh of renewable electricity annually—sufficient to power over half the homes in the Northland region.
Construction is slated to begin in early 2025—pending an appeal period and the final investment decision from the Meridian Board—anticipated by the end of the year. The project is expected to be completed by late 2026. The project will strengthen the region’s resilience by reducing Northland's reliance on electricity imported from other parts of the country.
“With the bulk of New Zealand’s electricity generation coming from the lower South Island and the North Island below Auckland, we’re proud to be developing such significant generation capacity in Tai Tokerau. This region is blessed with phenomenal natural resources and we’re looking forward to delivering a fantastic new project that takes full advantage of that.” said Rebecca Knott, Meridian’s Head of Renewable Development.
First Stage of Ruakākā Energy Park: BESS Enhancing Grid Resilience
Ruakākā Energy Park integrates a 100-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) and a proposed 120-megawatt solar farm located near Marsden Point in Whangārei. The first stage of the energy park and the BESS will occupy an area equivalent to two rugby fields. It aims to provide additional reserve power and enhance the resilience of the national grid, promote renewable generation and facilitate the transition to a net-zero economy by 2050.
Resource consent applications for the solar farm were submitted in September 2023. In February 2024, the Whangārei District Council granted resource consents for the construction and operation of the solar farm, addressing related impacts such as traffic, stormwater management, contaminated land, noise and landscape and visual effects.
Ruakākā Energy Park Expands with Solar and Battery Storage
The solar PV power plant marks the second phase of development for Meridian’s Ruakākā Energy Park, which also includes a 100MW/200MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The BESS is currently in its advanced construction phase and is expected to be completed by early 2025.
“The Ruakākā Energy Park is one of many renewable energy developments Meridian has underway to improve the security of electricity supply and help create a low carbon future for all Kiwis. We’re committed to increasing the amount of renewable electricity we generate and store so that we can help meet New Zealand’s growing demand for clean energy. That commitment is backed by a $3 billion (USD 2 billion) investment through to 2030 and several excellent projects already in, or approaching, the planning process.” said Rebecca Knott, Meridian’s Head of Renewable Development.
Saft is supplying the two-hour duration system, which will engage in energy arbitrage and frequency regulation, helping to increase network hosting capacity in the reserve markets of New Zealand's North Island.