{"id":401877,"date":"2024-08-15T21:02:51","date_gmt":"2024-08-15T21:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/?p=401877"},"modified":"2024-08-15T21:19:52","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T21:19:52","slug":"new-zealand-lightsource-bp-secures-nz267m-financing-package-for-kowhai-park-solar-farm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/news\/new-zealand-lightsource-bp-secures-nz267m-financing-package-for-kowhai-park-solar-farm\/","title":{"rendered":"Lightsource bp secures NZ$267m financing package for K\u014dwhai Park solar farm"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"block-page-title bg-color-white\">\n  <div class=\"pt-60 pt-lg-100\"><\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-12\">\n                <h1 class=\"fg-color-gradient\">Lightsource bp secures NZ$267m financing package for K\u014dwhai Park solar farm <\/h1>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"pt-60 pt-lg-100\"><\/div>\n<\/section>\n  \n\n\n<section class=\"banner-single position-relative\">\n  <div class=\"container-fluid\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-12 px-0\">\n                <div class=\"position-relative w-100 h-100 aspect-ratio-banner object-fit-cover\">\n          <picture>\n                    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/13092721\/GLB-Kowhai-park-PR-banner-aspect-ratio-417-234-450x252.jpg, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/13092721\/GLB-Kowhai-park-PR-banner-aspect-ratio-417-234-1000x561.jpg 2x\"\n                          media=\"(max-width: 575px)\">\n                    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/13092606\/GLB-Kowhai-park-PR-banner-1000x400.jpg, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/13092606\/GLB-Kowhai-park-PR-banner-1920x767.jpg 2x\"\n                          media=\"(min-width: 576px) and (max-width: 991px)\">\n                    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/13092606\/GLB-Kowhai-park-PR-banner.jpg, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/13092606\/GLB-Kowhai-park-PR-banner.jpg 2x\"\n                          media=\"(min-width: 992px)\">\n                    <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/13092606\/GLB-Kowhai-park-PR-banner.jpg\" alt=\"field of flowers growing around solar panels\"\n                       srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/08\/13092606\/GLB-Kowhai-park-PR-banner.jpg 2x\"\n                       sizes=\"auto, 100vw\"\n                       class=\"position-absolute w-100 h-100 left-0 top-0 object-fit-cover\"\n                       width=\"2000\"\n                       height=\"799\">\n                <\/picture>\n        <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"text align block_acf-block-66be6d8cedf41 block bg-color-white position-relative z-1 overflow-hidden\">\n    <div class=\"pt-60 pt-lg-100\"><\/div>\n\n  \n  <div class=\"container \">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-12\">\n        <span class=\"rich-text standard-text fg-color-navy\">\n          <ul>\n<li>Lightsource bp and its joint-venture partner, Contact Energy (Contact), secure NZ$267m financing on 168MWdc K\u014dwhai Park solar farm at Christchurch Airport.<\/li>\n<li>Financing for the project was secured from Westpac New Zealand, Mizuho, China Construction Bank and Intesa Sanpaolo \u2013 IMICIB.<\/li>\n<li>Construction is set to begin in late 2024 and the project is expected to be completed in 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Christchurch, New Zealand<\/strong> \u2013 Lightsource bp, a global leader in the development and management of solar energy projects, has secured NZ$267 million* of financing on its 168MWdc K\u014dwhai Park solar project located in Christchurch, New Zealand.<\/p>\n<p>This will be one of New Zealand\u2019s largest solar farms with around 300,000 solar panels. The project is being developed in partnership with Contact and is the first phase of Christchurch Airport\u2019s renewable energy precinct, K\u014dwhai Park.<\/p>\n<p>Financing for the project has been secured from Westpac New Zealand, Mizuho, China Construction Bank and Intesa Sanpaolo \u2013 IMICIB.<\/p>\n<p>Adam Pegg, Managing Director, Lightsource bp APAC, said: \u201cThis project at K\u014dwhai Park is our first to reach this stage in New Zealand, and we are proud to have developed such strong synergies with our partners Contact and Christchurch Airport as we help progress New Zealand\u2019s decarbonisation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cReaching this point on a project in a new country for the first time is a significant milestone. Through this project, Contact has proven to be a fantastic partner, and we have built a strong relationship. We look forward to working closely together on our future projects,\u201d Adam Pegg said.<\/p>\n<p>Mike Fuge, Contact Energy CEO said: \u201cContact is thrilled to have confirmed investment of our first solar farm with our JV partner Lightsource bp. The solar farm will also be our first generation asset in the Canterbury region, increasing our geographical spread across the country.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis news comes just weeks after our announcement to build grid-scale battery in South Auckland and provides further proof of our investment in renewable energy in Aotearoa New Zealand.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Justin Watson, Christchurch Airport Chief Executive, said: \u201cIt\u2019s great to see our partners Contact Energy and Lightsource bp ready to develop Stage 1 of K\u014dwhai Park. We\u2019re also grateful to Orion, Environment Canterbury and Airways for helping us reach this milestone. K\u014dwhai Park highlights our commitment to support decarbonisation through creating a green energy hub that will fuel the region\u2019s economic prosperity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With construction starting in late 2024 and commercial operations expected to begin in 2026, the K\u014dwhai Park solar farm will generate over 275GWh per year once completed. This is equivalent to the annual demand of approximately 36,000 homes.<\/p>\n<p>The debt package has been structured as a green financing loan, with Westpac, Mizuho, China Construction Bank and Intesa Sanpaolo jointly underwriting the package. A green financing loan is where the funding is earmarked by lenders for renewable energy projects that help advance the energy transition.<\/p>\n<p>Engineering, procurement, and construction contractor CHINTEC has been engaged to undertake the construction of the solar farm, and Ventia will be delivering all network connection infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>The joint venture partnership between Lightsource bp and Contact Energy has further plans to progress its solar portfolio in New Zealand, which includes a 175MWdc solar farm in Glorit on the Kaipara Coast northwest of Auckland, and a 160MWdc solar farm in Taranaki, adjacent to Contact&#8217;s Stratford power station.<\/p>\n<p><em>*Bank facilities have been executed, with remaining conditions precedent to be fulfilled. The final figure is approximate and subject to change.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"pt-60 pt-lg-100\"><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"multi-column-cards align block_acf-block-66bb2a82148c7 block bg-color-orange-3-percent\">\n  <div class=\"pt-60 pt-lg-100\"><\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-12\">\n                <h3 class=\"mb-35\">Latest news<\/h3>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"row\">\n                        <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-4 mb-30\">\n  <div class=\"multi-column-cards__image-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/news\/kowhai-park-solar-farm-reaches-golden-row-milestone-marking-major-step-in-delivery\/\" class=\"d-block w-100 h-100\">\n      <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04084905\/NZ-Kowhai-Park-golden-row-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1200x742.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04084905\/NZ-Kowhai-Park-golden-row-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04084905\/NZ-Kowhai-Park-golden-row-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1024x634.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04084905\/NZ-Kowhai-Park-golden-row-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-80x49.jpg 80w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04084905\/NZ-Kowhai-Park-golden-row-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-150x93.jpg 150w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04084905\/NZ-Kowhai-Park-golden-row-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-450x278.jpg 450w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04084905\/NZ-Kowhai-Park-golden-row-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-767x475.jpg 767w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04084905\/NZ-Kowhai-Park-golden-row-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1000x619.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04084905\/NZ-Kowhai-Park-golden-row-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195.jpg 1293w\" sizes=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2025\/08\/04084905\/NZ-Kowhai-Park-golden-row-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1200x742.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"742\"><\/picture>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n      <p class=\"mt-20 mb-10 font-size-paragraph-small\">03 Aug, 2025<\/p>\n    <a class=\"text-decoration-none text-decoration-sm-underline-hover\" href=\"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/news\/kowhai-park-solar-farm-reaches-golden-row-milestone-marking-major-step-in-delivery\/\">\n    <h5 class=\"mb-15 fg-color-navy\">K\u014dwhai Park solar farm reaches \u2018Golden Row\u2019 milestone, marking major step in delivery<\/h5>\n  <\/a>\n      <p class=\"mb-15 line-height-level-6\">Construction of one of New Zealand\u2019s largest solar projects has reached a major milestone, with the installation of the first row of solar panels at K\u014dwhai Park solar farm.<\/p>\n    <p><a href=\"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/news\/kowhai-park-solar-farm-reaches-golden-row-milestone-marking-major-step-in-delivery\/\">Read Story <span class=\"ml-10\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"8\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\"><path stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M1 13l6-6-6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-4 mb-30\">\n  <div class=\"multi-column-cards__image-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/news\/wool-quality-and-sustainability-insights-from-lightsource-bps-wellington-solar-farm\/\" class=\"d-block w-100 h-100\">\n      <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/29095346\/GLB-Australia-Wool-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1200x743.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/29095346\/GLB-Australia-Wool-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/29095346\/GLB-Australia-Wool-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1024x634.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/29095346\/GLB-Australia-Wool-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-80x50.jpg 80w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/29095346\/GLB-Australia-Wool-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-150x93.jpg 150w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/29095346\/GLB-Australia-Wool-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-450x279.jpg 450w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/29095346\/GLB-Australia-Wool-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-767x475.jpg 767w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/29095346\/GLB-Australia-Wool-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1000x619.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/29095346\/GLB-Australia-Wool-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195.jpg 1292w\" sizes=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/29095346\/GLB-Australia-Wool-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1200x743.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"743\"><\/picture>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n      <p class=\"mt-20 mb-10 font-size-paragraph-small\">29 Oct, 2024<\/p>\n    <a class=\"text-decoration-none text-decoration-sm-underline-hover\" href=\"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/news\/wool-quality-and-sustainability-insights-from-lightsource-bps-wellington-solar-farm\/\">\n    <h5 class=\"mb-15 fg-color-navy\">Wool quality and sustainability: Insights from Lightsource bp\u2019s Wellington solar farm\u202f<\/h5>\n  <\/a>\n      <p class=\"mb-15 line-height-level-6\">Lightsource bp has seen promising results from the second round of wool testing at its Wellington solar farm, in New South Wales, Australia.<\/p>\n    <p><a href=\"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/news\/wool-quality-and-sustainability-insights-from-lightsource-bps-wellington-solar-farm\/\">Read Story <span class=\"ml-10\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"8\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\"><path stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M1 13l6-6-6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n                  <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-4 mb-30\">\n  <div class=\"multi-column-cards__image-container\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/news\/bp-completes-acquisition-of-lightsource-bp\/\" class=\"d-block w-100 h-100\">\n      <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/24141145\/GLB-news-bp-acquires-lightsource-bp-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1200x743.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/24141145\/GLB-news-bp-acquires-lightsource-bp-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/24141145\/GLB-news-bp-acquires-lightsource-bp-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1024x634.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/24141145\/GLB-news-bp-acquires-lightsource-bp-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-80x50.jpg 80w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/24141145\/GLB-news-bp-acquires-lightsource-bp-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-150x93.jpg 150w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/24141145\/GLB-news-bp-acquires-lightsource-bp-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-450x279.jpg 450w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/24141145\/GLB-news-bp-acquires-lightsource-bp-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-767x475.jpg 767w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/24141145\/GLB-news-bp-acquires-lightsource-bp-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1000x619.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/24141145\/GLB-news-bp-acquires-lightsource-bp-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195.jpg 1292w\" sizes=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/app\/uploads\/2024\/10\/24141145\/GLB-news-bp-acquires-lightsource-bp-banner-aspect-ratio-315-195-1200x743.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"743\"><\/picture>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n      <p class=\"mt-20 mb-10 font-size-paragraph-small\">24 Oct, 2024<\/p>\n    <a class=\"text-decoration-none text-decoration-sm-underline-hover\" href=\"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/news\/bp-completes-acquisition-of-lightsource-bp\/\">\n    <h5 class=\"mb-15 fg-color-navy\">bp completes acquisition of Lightsource bp<\/h5>\n  <\/a>\n      <p class=\"mb-15 line-height-level-6\">bp has completed its acquisition of the remaining 50.03% interest in Lightsource bp.<\/p>\n    <p><a href=\"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/news\/bp-completes-acquisition-of-lightsource-bp\/\">Read Story <span class=\"ml-10\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"8\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\"><path stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M1 13l6-6-6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"pt-60 pt-lg-100\"><\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":401822,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[],"filter_by":[869],"filter_tags":[],"class_list":["post-401877","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-nz","filter_by-press-releases-nz"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/50"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=401877"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401877\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":402549,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401877\/revisions\/402549"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/401822"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=401877"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=401877"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=401877"},{"taxonomy":"filter_by","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/filter_by?post=401877"},{"taxonomy":"filter_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/filter_tags?post=401877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}