Suite of solar sites planned

AUCKLAND: The country’s transition to renewable energy has been given a boost, another largescale solar project being tabled by developers.

Solar technology developer Far North Solar Farm and German sustainable investment manager Aquila Capital, who partnered last year, say they intend to start construction on a suite of solar projects that could supply about 4% of the country’s total energy demand once completed.

The companies aimed to break ground on four North Island projects in their 1 gigawatt (GWp) pipeline this year.

‘‘We can’t wait to start constructing the solar photovoltaic sites we have planned and consented,’’ Far North Solar Farm director John Telfer said.

The cost of the investment would be more than $1 billion, the projects to be undertaken over the next two to five years.

Mr Telfer’s firm had looked for local investors but could not find any prepared to stump up the money needed or willing to take on the risks associated with construction, such as cost blowouts.

The companies planned to build the projects across the North and South Islands and had already secured 13 sites close to transmission points.

Work began on the first site in Pukenui in Northland last year.

The projects were expected create 40 fulltime jobs. — RNZ