Pukenui Solar Farm

Summary

The Pukenui Solar Farm is a photovoltaic power station under construction at Pukenui, near Houhora on the Aupouri Peninsula in the Far North District of New Zealand. The farm will be owned by Far North Solar Farm. When complete the farm will cover 12 hectares and generate 16 MW of electricity.[1] It is expected to be the largest solar farm in the country when complete.[2]

Pukenui Solar Farm
Map
CountryNew Zealand
LocationAupouri Peninsula
Coordinates34°49′06″S 173°6′38″E / 34.81833°S 173.11056°E / -34.81833; 173.11056
StatusUnder construction
Construction began1 July 2021
Construction costNZ$30 million
Owner(s)Far North Solar Farm
Solar farm
TypeFlat-panel PV
Collectors32,000
Site area12 ha
Power generation
Nameplate capacity16 MW

Far North Solar Farm applied for resource consent for the project in February 2021.[3] Construction began on 1 July 2021, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern turning the first sod.[1] It was expected to be operational in the second half of 2022, but as of October 2022 the site was untouched.[4] Earthworks started in late 2023.[5]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Peter de Graaf (1 July 2021). "Work starts on NZ's biggest solar farm at Pukenui". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  2. ^ Denise Piper (1 July 2021). "Sun shines on PM at Northland solar farm opening, but clouds remain over coal use". Stuff. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  3. ^ Denise Piper (14 February 2021). "New Zealand's largest solar farm proposed for top of country". Stuff. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  4. ^ Brent Melville (25 October 2022). "Far North Solar Farm a 'dead duck'?". Business Desk. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  5. ^ de Graaf, Peter (27 November 2023). "'A task in itself': Country's largest solar power station built in Kaitāia". RNZ News. Retrieved 18 December 2023.