{"id":252702,"date":"2023-02-08T22:25:32","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T22:25:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/?p=252702"},"modified":"2023-07-24T09:04:26","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T09:04:26","slug":"giant-step-forward-for-one-of-new-zealands-largest-solar-farms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/news\/giant-step-forward-for-one-of-new-zealands-largest-solar-farms\/","title":{"rendered":"Giant step forward for one of New Zealand\u2019s largest solar farms"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Giant step forward for one of New Zealand\u2019s largest solar farms<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Christchurch, New Zealand<\/strong><\/p>\n

Christchurch Airport’s renewable energy precinct, K\u014dwhai Park has taken a giant step closer to reality.<\/p>\n

After a year-long process, that attracted interest from organisations across the globe, the airport has chosen one of New Zealand\u2019s largest energy companies, Contact Energy, and international solar developer, Lightsource bp, as its partners to deliver phase one of the park.<\/p>\n

The first stage of the park will consist of a solar farm that will span around 300-hectares on land just behind the airport\u2019s runways.<\/p>\n

Lightsource bp is a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects. Its team includes over 1,000 industry specialists working across 19 global regions. In April 2022, Contact Energy and Lightsource bp entered an exclusive partnership to co-develop grid-scale solar farms in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

K\u014dwhai Park is expected to be the first of a number of planned solar farms for the Lightsource bp and Contact Energy partnership in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson says this marks a major milestone for K\u014dwhai Park which is an important project for Canterbury and New Zealand.<\/p>\n

\u201cK\u014dwhai Park will enable low emissions aviation and help provide the extra green energy New Zealand needs to transition away from fossil fuels. We\u2019re excited to have found partners with the technical capability to do this well and the values to ensure it\u2019s done right.\u201d<\/p>\n

With around 300,000 solar panels, K\u014dwhai Park\u2019s solar farm will be among the largest in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

In time, the park will be home to green hydrogen generation and able to meet the needs of high users of energy, like vertical farms and data centres.<\/p>\n

The expected 150MW (or 170MWp) array will generate 290 GWh per year. This is equivalent to the annual demand of approximately 36,000 homes or approximately half of Christchurch\u2019s domestic flights being converted to low-emission technologies.<\/p>\n

It will have the same carbon benefit as planting around 1.25 million native trees and shrubs.<\/p>\n

Contact Energy CEO Mike Fuge says they\u2019re excited to announce this development partnership.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve committed to creating up to 380,000 megawatt hours of grid-scale solar generation by 2026, this project will deliver over half of that. We\u2019re bringing our proven track record of delivering domestic renewable projects in order to meet the massive anticipated demand for renewable electricity in New Zealand. Subject to a final investment decision, all going well construction will begin in 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a partnership we are looking forward to working on K\u014dwhai Park Christchurch Airport to achieve our environmental aspirations and deliver on our commitment to lead New Zealand\u2019s decarbonisation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lightsource bp\u2019s Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand Adam Pegg says they\u2019re equally excited.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re delighted to launch our first project in New Zealand and to be partnering with organisations who, like us, want to play a leading role in New Zealand\u2019s decarbonisation.<\/p>\n

\u201cLightsource bp has a strong international track record of successfully delivering utility scale solar projects, and with our partners at Contact Energy we look forward to working closely with Christchurch Airport on the development, construction and operation of K\u014dwhai Park,\u201d says Adam Pegg.<\/p>\n

The project\u2019s gained wide support from across Canterbury.<\/p>\n

Orion Group CEO Nigel Barbour says they\u2019re pleased to be able to support the project as the electricity lines company for central Canterbury.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are really excited to work with Christchurch Airport and these newly announced partners on this significant project in our region.\u201d<\/p>\n

Environment Canterbury chair Peter Scott is pleased 159 hectares of land it leases to Christchurch Airport will become part of K\u014dwhai Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany people don\u2019t realise that Environment Canterbury is a significant land owner \u2013 it\u2019s exciting to see some of that land being used in an innovative way to provide a large-scale source of renewable energy. This project will make a big difference to Canterbury\u2019s efforts to decarbonise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Justin Watson says K\u014dwhai Park will be ready to help decarbonise flights.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is to ensure K\u014dwhai Park is ready to provide the large amount of green energy these new aircraft will need. This starts with the solar farm but will include green hydrogen generation down the track.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an exciting time for aviation – zero and low emission aircraft are not far away. Our job is to do all we can to ensure they can take off as soon as possible,\u201d concludes Justin Watson.<\/p>\n