The Tauhei Solar Farm

PHOTO: The Tauhei Solar Farm. SOLAR QUOTES

New Zealand’s largest solar farm is set to make waves in Waikato, with construction slated to begin this year. The Tauhei Solar Farm, near Te Aroha, is poised to revolutionize the region’s energy landscape. Jointly owned by the UK’s Harmony Energy Limited and New Zealand’s First Renewables Limited (a Clarus company), the farm will cover an impressive 182 hectares.

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Clarus general manager for future fuels, James Irvine, assures that despite its vast scale, the solar farm will remain unobtrusive. “It’s really well screened by planting, which is already taking place along the perimeter of the site. By the time those plants become established, from the surrounding roads, you won’t be able to see the farm at all,” he explained.

Behind this green screen, rows upon rows of solar panels will supply power to Meridian Energy, which has committed to purchasing 100 percent of the output for the first 10 years of operation. Additionally, the land between the rows of panels will be used for sheep grazing, with the photovoltaic panels providing shelter and shade for the livestock while retaining moisture in the ground during hot months.

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Harmony Energy New Zealand managing director, Garth Elmes, confirmed that all major contracts, financing, consents, and regulatory approvals are now in place, allowing the companies to move forward with the project.

Scheduled for commissioning in late 2026, the solar farm is expected to generate 280 gigawatt hours of electricity per year—enough to power approximately 35,000 New Zealand homes with renewable energy.

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James Irvine emphasized the need for more renewable energy generation in the North Island. “It’s no secret that we need more generation in the North Island of New Zealand, and we want that generation to be renewable. A lot of the generation and storage is in the South Island, but most of our load is here in the north, so this helps address that balance,” he stated.

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The solar farm’s strategic location near the large populations of Hamilton, Auckland, and Tauranga is expected to provide both national and local resilience benefits. This project marks Clarus’ first foray into renewable energy, as the company is primarily known for its gas companies First Gas and Rock Gas.

“The Tauhei Solar Farm is one way Clarus is helping drive the decarbonization of New Zealand’s energy system. It will also generate jobs and business opportunities, support biodiversity by creating a wetland, and allow the land to continue to be used for farming,” Irvine said.

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During its two-year construction phase, the project is expected to create around 350 full-time equivalent jobs at peak construction, as well as producing permanent full-time jobs once construction is completed. The solar farm is projected to continue generating power for at least 30 years, making it a long-term asset for New Zealand’s renewable energy future.

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