Marton Solar Farm

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

2023-140

Applicant

Energy Farm Limited

Project summary

To construct and operate a solar farm on an approximately 194-hectare site and to connect to and supply electricity to the national grid via existing 110kV Transpower New Zealand Limited transmission lines. The solar farm will have an approximate output of 80-110 megawatts peak and will comprise:

  • approximately 230,000 solar panels, occupying approximately 154 hectares
  • arrays and mounting structures, inverter cabinets, underground cables and associated infrastructure
  • 16 inverter stations, one substation and one transformer
  • ancillary buildings, structures and infrastructure (including an energy storage facility, roads, access, security fencing, CCTV poles and other infrastructure)
  • underground electricity cables
  • restoration and planting of riparian margins of streams.

Location

1646 Wellington Road, Marton.

Referred projects order

Schedule 100 to the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Referred Projects Order 2020 [New Zealand Legislation website]

Reasons for decision

The project will:

  • generate employment by creating approximately 445 direct full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs over a 24-month construction period and approximately 33 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, 869 KB]