Harmony Energy wins nod for almost 150 MW of solar in New Zealand

UK-based renewables developer Harmony Energy on Monday said it has been given the green light for two solar projects in New Zealand, in Marton and Opunake.

The company has secured resource consent for the 73.5-MW Marton solar farm and the 75-MW Opunake solar farm. Together, the projects are expected to create about 400 direct full-time equivalent jobs during the construction period of 12 to 18 months. When completed, the sites will generate enough electricity to power about 30,000 New Zealand homes, the developer estimates.

New Zealand’s Minister for the Environment had referred the projects to be decided by an expert consenting panel under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020.

“Obtaining resource consent for these projects represents another milestone for the NZ business. Construction of the Tauhei Solar Farm is on track to start this spring so it’s great to know there’s more in the pipeline,” Harmony Energy director Pete Grogan said, adding that the projects allow for ongoing farming and involve native planting to enhance biodiversity and ecology.