The Government of New Zealand has referred 2 solar power projects to be fast-tracked as the country seeks to speed up its transition to a 'clean energy future' with local media identifying these projects to have been proposed by a company called IGP.
The 2 projects referred—Rangiriri Solar Farm and Waerenga Solar Farm are expected to generate about 220 GWh and 300 GWh annually, respectively. IGP is said to be building these in collaboration with New Zealand's state-owned grid operator Transpower.
These join 3 other projects already been referred for fast-tracking. If all of these 5 facilities are approved, the government expects them to create up to 1,260 full-time jobs and contribute more than 635 MW to the grid during peak generation. Farmers Weekly identifies the 3 projects as Tauhei Solar Farm, Waiterimu Solar Farm and Te Rere Hau Wind Farm.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Rangiriri Solar Farm and Waerenga Solar Farm projects, if approved, can help the country displace about 220 million kg or more of carbon emissions on annual basis.
Both the projects will need to be cleared through the COVID-19 Recovery Fast-track Consenting Act in place since 2021.
"Fast-track consenting will become a permanent part of the resource management system through the proposed Natural and Built Environments Bill. It has already reduced consenting time by an average of 15 months per project saving infrastructure builders time and money," said country's Environment Minister David Parker.
In February 2023, another British solar company Lightsource bp joined hands with Contact Energy to build the 'largest' planned solar plant in New Zealand for Christchurch Airport (see New Zealand's Solar Power Market Getting Active).