With around 300,000 panels spanning 230 hectares, Kōwhai Park will be one of New Zealand’s largest solar farms.
The solar farm will be adjacent to Christchurch Airport, on land owned by both Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL) and Environment Canterbury. Lightsource bp and Contact Energy will develop the solar farm in partnership with CIAL. The solar project will connect to Orion’s 66kV distribution network, and the electricity produced will assist the airport in achieving its electrification and decarbonisation goals, and form the first stage of the wider Kōwhai Park Eco-system.
Justin Watson, Christchurch Airport chief executive, said “Kōwhai Park highlights our commitment to support decarbonisation through creating a clean energy hub that will fuel the region’s economic prosperity.”
“This array will be the same size as around 220 rugby fields – it will be an impressive sight for everyone flying to or from Ōtautahi Christchurch.
“It’s great to see our partners Contact Energy and Lightsource bp ready to develop Stage 1 of Kōwhai Park. These two organisations have all the expertise to make this a project that Canterbury can be proud of and we’re grateful to have them onboard. We’re also grateful to Orion and Environment Canterbury for helping us reach this milestone.”
Watson added: “We’re focused on getting other renewable energy projects located there so we can become a clean energy hub that will enable our city and region to decarbonise and help New Zealand reach its net goals.
