Ruakākā Solar Farm gains planning consent

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Ruakākā Solar Farm gains planning consent

10 February 2025
Meridian Energy has been granted final consent approval by the Environment Court to build its
120MW Ruakākā Solar Farm in Tai Tokerau Northland.
Initial consent was granted by the Northland Regional Council in September, after which an
appeal was received regarding some environmental aspects of the development. This was
resolved following constructive discussions between Meridian, the appellants and interested
parties, and Meridian will now further enhance the protection of natural wetlands and
dunelands, and restoration of wetland areas.
Meridian Chief Executive Neal Barclay says it is pleasing to resolve the appeal so quickly and
be able to move forward with a project that will provide big benefits to Northland’s resilience
and New Zealand’s generation capacity.
“We know how important it is to invest in new generation and increase the security of New
Zealand’s electricity supply,” says Neal Barclay.
“Solar farms and batteries are part of the solution to strengthen and grow our electricity
system. Along with our hydro stations and wind farms, they’ll build resilience for tough years
and help to reduce the cost of electricity for Kiwi homes and businesses.”
With up to 250,000 solar panels, the Ruakākā Solar Farm, south of Whangārei, will be
capable of producing up to 200GWh of electricity per year – enough to power around half the
homes in Northland.
The solar farm is Stage 2 of Meridian’s Ruakākā Energy Park, which also includes a 100MW
battery energy storage system that is expected to be fully operational by April 2025.
“We’re committed to increasing the amount of renewable electricity we generate and store so
that we can help meet New Zealand’s growing demand for clean energy. That commitment is
backed by a $3 billion investment through to the end of the decade, and we have a number of
excellent projects already in or approaching the planning process,” says Neal Barclay.
Subject to final investment decision by the Meridian Board, expected in March, construction of
the Ruakākā Solar Farm is planned to start in mid-2025 and to be completed by early 2027.

ENDS

Neal Barclay
Chief Executive
Meridian Energy Limited

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