Harmony Energy Solar Farm - Marton

This project has been referred to an expert consenting panel for fast-track consenting under the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting Act 2020).

Last updated:

Project ID

 2023-143

Applicant

Harmony Energy NZ #3 Limited

Project summary

To construct and operate a solar farm on an approximately 120-hectare site, and to connect to and supply electricity to the national grid via the Pukepapa Road legal road reserve. The solar farm will have an output of approximately 65 megawatts peak. The solar farm will comprise: 

  • approximately 103,000 solar panels, occupying approximately 93 hectares 
  • arrays and mounting structures, inverter cabinets, underground cables and associated infrastructure 
  • 28 power stations, two substations and one transformer  
  • ancillary buildings, structures and infrastructure (including a storage building, roads, access, security fencing, CCTV poles and other infrastructure) 
  • underground electricity cables, including within road reserve to connect to the Transpower substation at 362 Pukepapa Road, Marton 
  • restoration and planting of riparian margins of the Tutaenui Stream. 

Location

122 and 196 Whales Lane Line and 379 Pukepapa Road, Marton.

Reasons for decision

The project will:

  • generate employment by creating approximately 87-130 direct full time equivalent (FTE) jobs over a 12-18 month construction period and approximately 5 ongoing FTE jobs 
  • provide infrastructure that will contribute to improving economic and employment outcomes 
  • contribute to New Zealand’s efforts to mitigate climate change and transition more quickly to a low emissions economy by increasing New Zealand’s renewable energy generation 
  • progress faster than would otherwise be the case under standard Resource Management Act 1991 process.

Any actual and potential effects on the environment, and proposed measures to avoid, remedy, mitigate, offset, or compensate for any adverse effects, can be appropriately tested by an expert consenting panel against Part 2 of the Resource Management Act 1991 and the purpose of the Act.

Section 17 report

Section 17 report [PDF, 978 KB]

Proactive release of application and decision documents

All supporting documents