Lodestone Energy has started construction on its fourth North Island utility-scale solar farm near Whitianga.
Once operational, Lodestone’s Whitianga solar farm will generate about 50 GWh of clean renewable energy each year – enough electricity to power more than 6800 households. The site will have more than 53,000 solar panels supported by 7150 piles. Construction is expected to be completed by November 2025.
The Whitianga project includes a partnership with the local electricity network operator, Powerco, which is building a new substation on the same site.
Lodestone Energy managing director Gary Holden said the latest North Island solar farm continues the company’s strategy to develop a diverse spread of regional solar resources to serve the needs of customers across New Zealand.
“The challenges seen in the energy market in recent months are a testament to the need for new, clean, affordable energy supply and we are continuing to bring this to market at pace.”
On the site, which was previously a dairy farm, Lodestone is again using an agrivoltaic design to maximise electricity generation while preserving the farm’s productive land. Setting the panels widely apart and high above the ground allows machinery to operate and sheep grazing or horticultural activities to continue around them.
Whitianga is Lodestone Energy’s fourth farm in its Phase 1 programme and follows solar farms near Kaitaia, Edgecumbe and Waiotahe.
Further sites in Dargaville, Manawatu and Canterbury are set to commence construction starting in 2025. Lodestone Energy has plans for a total of 18 utility-scale solar projects across New Zealand, with the addition of its Phase 2 and Phase 3 development plans.
