News

UK-based Harmony Energy has applied for fast-track resource consents from the NZ Government for three solar farms that would add a total of almost 300 MW to NZ’s grid.

The biggest project in Carterton, in the south of the North Island, at 133 MW DC will consist of approximately 201,500 solar panels occupying approximately 148 hectares; arrays and mounting structures, inverter cabinets, and associated infrastructure; 32 medium voltage power stations, two substations, one transformer and transmission line to connect to the national grid; and underground electricity cables to connect to a Transpower substation.

Over a 12-18 month construction period the project will create around 202-303 direct full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs and five ongoing FTE jobs.

Harmony’s proposed Opunake Solar Farm, located in the Taranaki region of the North Island, will have an output of approximately 94 MW DC. It will consist of approximately 142,650 solar panels occupying around 58 hectares; arrays and mounting structures, inverter cabinets, and associated infrastructure; 26 power stations, two substations, one transformer and transmission line to connect to the national grid via the nearby Opunake Substation.

It’s expected the project will generate approximately 179-286 direct full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs over a 12-18 month construction period and five ongoing FTE jobs.

Harmony’s third proposed project is in Marton close to the Marton Substation, north-west of Palmerston North on the North Island. The solar farm will have an output of approximately 65 MW DC and comprise: approximately 103,000 solar panels occupying 93 hectares; arrays and mounting structures, inverter cabinets, underground cables and associated infrastructure; 28 power stations, two substations and one transformer; and underground cables, including to connect to the Transpower substation.

It's expected the project will create around 87-130 direct full time equivalent (FTE) jobs over a 12-18 month construction period and approximately five ongoing FTE jobs.

Harmony Energy already has resource consent to develop what would be New Zealand’s largest solar farm in Waikato, the 147 MW Tauhei Solar Farm located on a 260-hectare site at Te Aroha West, 140km south of Auckland.

In the UK, the company has 220 MW/440 MWh of BESS operating plus a future 381 MW/762 MWh in build, is developing 200 MWs of standalone solar projects and 500 MWs of solar projects co-located with its battery projects, and has built and operated 15 wind farm sites.