Lodestone’s New Whitianga Solar Farm Begins Power Generation, Strengthening Energy Resilience Across The Coromandel Region

Lodestone Energy, New Zealand’s leading solar-based generator and retailer, has begun generating electricity from its fourth solar farm on the Coromandel Peninsula. The project became operational just in time for the summer season, when the number of visitors to the region increases significantly. Its completion reinforces Lodestone’s focus on improving energy resilience for both the Coromandel and the wider Aotearoa New Zealand. The new solar farm, named Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga, is located on the outskirts of Whitianga township. It is the first utility-scale solar farm in the region and reflects Lodestone’s broader vision of establishing a solar farm in every community.

Alongside this development, the company is constructing its fifth site in South Canterbury and plans to begin work on a sixth farm in Central Hawkes Bay in 2026. Once fully operational, the Whitianga farm will generate around 49 GWh of certified renewable electricity each year, which is enough to power roughly 6,800 homes. The site contains 53,400 solar panels and 7,150 piles. Under Lodestone’s agrivoltaics model, the land will continue to support farming activities, with sheep grazing beneath and around the solar panels. This dual-use approach allows clean energy generation and traditional agriculture to operate together.

Lodestone Energy’s Managing Director, Gary Holden, says the project demonstrates what can be achieved when communities, industry leaders, and partners work closely together. He notes that the development not only brings clean and reliable electricity to the Coromandel, but also supported local employment and contributed to the region’s long-term resilience. He added that Lodestone remains committed to delivering more localised renewable energy to communities across the country. Construction of the solar farm began in late 2024 and created new job opportunities throughout the 12-month build period. After completion, the project will also include the planting of 9,300 eco-sourced native plants, as well as the restoration of a wetland area.

Electricity generation from the farm will peak during summer, which aligns with the significant increase in demand from holidaymakers during the Christmas and New Year period. This timing helps the region access a more reliable and locally generated power supply exactly when it is needed most. In parallel with the solar farm’s development, Powerco has completed commissioning a new switching station to connect the site to the Coromandel electricity network. Karen Frew, Powerco’s General Manager Electricity, explains that the switching station is designed to be upgraded from 66kV to 110kV in the future as demand grows. She says this new infrastructure strengthens the security of electricity supply to the upper Coromandel Peninsula and supports future regional expansion.

Lodestone’s solar-backed retail offering continues to help customers take part in New Zealand’s transition to renewable energy. By the end of the year, the company will have introduced 230 GWh of new renewable energy to the market, enough to power approximately 32,000 homes. This Whitianga project is the fourth solar farm Lodestone has delivered in partnership with Infratec and New Energy, with installation efficiency improving significantly since their first collaboration. Lodestone is also expanding further into the South Island, with construction underway on its Clandeboye project and other developments progressing through planning stages.