The Kōwhai Park Solar Farm has a capacity of 168 MW DC/150 MW AC and is the largest on New Zealand’s South Island
Lightsource bp says this is the company’s first completed solar farm in New Zealand
It will supply clean electricity to Christchurch Airport and dairy processor Synlait
Kōwhai Park, the largest solar farm on New Zealand’s South Island, has officially opened in Christchurch, adding 168 MW DC/150 MW AC of solar capacity to the country’s electricity system.
The NZD 273 million project was developed by New Zealand-based renewable energy company Contact Energy and UK-headquartered Lightsource bp. Both partners won a competitive bidding round to build the project in February 2023.
Back then, they said this would be the largest planned solar park in the country, with 150 MW planned under Phase I (see New Zealand’s Solar Power Market Getting Active).
Located at Christchurch Airport, the solar farm spans 230 hectares and comprises around 300,000 solar panels. It is expected to generate 275 GWh of electricity annually. This is equivalent to the yearly demand of approximately 36,000 homes.
The project employed 235 people at peak construction and involved 66 local businesses. It is Lightsource bp’s first completed solar farm in the country.
Christchurch Airport and dairy processor Synlait will purchase electricity from the project under long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs). Synlait will use 25% of the farm’s output to supply its Dunsandel and Dairyworks facilities.
Christchurch Airport Chief Executive Justin Watson said, “Kōwhai Park shows what can happen when you think differently about how airport land can be used.”
Hawke’s Bay Airport in New Zealand is also exploring a solar farm with up to 17 MW installed capacity. In August 2026, it invited EOIs seeking partners (see New Zealand Airport Plans Up To 17 MW Solar PV Capacity).
