150 MW AC Tipped To Be New Zealand’s Largest Solar Farm

• Harmony Energy and First Renewables have announced a joint venture to build a 150 MW AC solar farm in New Zealand 
• Located near Te Aroha in North Island, it is expected to achieve final investment decision later this year 
• The partners expect the farm to generate 270 GWh of clean energy with around 330,000 solar panels installed 

Renewable energy companies UK-based Harmony Energy Limited and First Renewables Limited have announced a partnership to build what they believe will be New Zealand's largest solar farm with 150 MW AC capacity.  

First Renewables is part of the New Zealand energy group Clarus that was previously known as the Firstgas Group.  

To be equipped with close to 330,000 solar panels, the Tauhei Solar Farm is expected to generate 270 GWh annually on completion. Both the joint venture (JV) partners have zeroed in on a 182-hectare land near Te Aroha in the North Island to locate the facility. 

The proposed project has been under planning for long, having qualified for fast-track consenting via the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020. 

It is scheduled to enter construction on achieving the final investment decision, expected later this year. Both the companies will jointly develop and own the solar farm on completion. 

"We are excited to be combining our expertise with Harmony Energy to develop and deliver this important renewable energy project, in line with Clarus' commitment to help drive the decarbonization of New Zealand's energy system," said Clarus GM Future Fuels, James Irvine. 

Earlier in November 2023, Lodestone Energy announced its agrivoltaic project with 55 GWh annual generation capacity as the 1st utility-scale solar project in New Zealand. Recently, the company secured consent for 3 new solar farms (see New Zealand Green Signals New Agrivoltaic Farms).