Solar farm could power 30,000 homes
‘‘This proposal creates opportunities for local businesses and employment, supports the country’s net-zero ambitions and creates significant biodiversity gains. ’’
Pete Grogan
Harmony director
A new solar farm proposed in eastern Waikato could generate enough electricity to power 30,000 homes if its application under the Covid Recovery Act is successful.
Harmony Energy New Zealand has unveiled plans to construct 329,000 solar panels on 182 hectares of a 260-hectare site at Te Aroha West.
The UK-based company has been granted approval to speed up its application under the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020 but is yet to hear if the project has been approved.
Harmony director Pete Grogan said the solar panels could produce up to 147 megawatts of power at peak times. All the electricity would flow directly into the national grid for use by homes and businesses.
The scheme would reduce the need to generate from nonrenewable sources such as the Huntly power station and would allow dual land use by combining energy generation with continued farming production, Grogan said.
The site, chosen for its existing high voltage electrical infrastructure, flat and open land, is owned by Tauhei Farms Ltd. The farm would be converted into a sheep farm rather than the current dairy herd if successful.
The separation and height above ground of panels would allow for continued pasture growth, with the benefit of shade and shelter for the sheep.
Harmony Energy builds, owns and operates wind, solar and battery energy storage assets to assist in the creation of renewable energy systems. Grogan cofounded Harmony Energy in the UK but has returned home to New Zealand to establish the company’s operation.
Grogan said renewable energy is critical to mitigate the impact of climate change and help support the country’s net ambitions.
‘‘This proposal creates opportunities for local businesses and employment, supports the country’s net-zero ambitions and creates significant biodiversity gains,’’ he said.
The project would provide an estimated 900,000 labour hours during the construction period, which could be completed in 12 months with limited effects on the local area and environment.
Grogan said all the solar panels and other equipment would be set back from surrounding roads and are only designed to absorb light, not reflect, so it poses little risk to glint or glare.
The design will include the retention of native bat roosting trees, the establishment of riparian corridors and ecological restoration of a 7.2 hectare on-site wetland area.
Boardwalks would also be incorporated for scheduled educational visits from school students and community groups to learn about solar energy and biodiversity.
The preparation of a cultural impact assessment is also being discussed with mana whenua.
‘‘We have been engaging with mana whenua since August 2019 and await their further direction.’’
The Covid-19 Recovery Act was established to urgently promote employment to support New Zealand’s recovery from the economic and social impacts of Covid19.