Waerenga 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

2022-107

Applicant

Waerenga Solar Farm Limited (WSFL) and Transpower NZ Limited (Transpower)

Project summary

To construct and operate a solar farm on a 385-hectare site comprising 3 properties located on Waerenga Road, Keith Road and Awariki Road and to connect to and supply electricity to the national grid. The solar farm will have an approximate peak output of 180 Megawatts. The Solar Farm will comprise:

  • approximately 290,000 solar panels, occupying approximately 81 hectares
  • arrays and mounting structures, inverter cabinets, and associated infrastructure
  • a 220kV substation and transmission line to connect to the national grid
  • an energy storage facility
  • underground electricity cables
  • ancillary buildings, structures and infrastructure (including roads, access, culverts, cabling, fencing, CCTV poles and other infrastructure)
  • landscaping including planting, boundary screening and enhancement of streams and waterways.

Location

3 properties located on Waerenga Road, Keith Road and Awariki Road, Waerenga, Waikato (the primary address is 2176 Waerenga Road).

Referred projects order

Schedule 69 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 130-160 direct full time equivalent (FTE) jobs over a 15-18 month construction period and approximately 13-17 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, 1.3 MB]

Proactive release of application and decision documents

All supporting documents