Meridian Energy has received regulatory approval to develop a new solar and battery energy storage project in the North Island, marking another step in the country’s expansion of large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.
The approved project, known as the Bunnythorpe Energy Park, will include a 120-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) facility integrated with a battery energy storage system (BESS) at the same site. The hybrid configuration is designed to improve grid stability while enabling more consistent renewable power output.
The development will be located near Palmerston North and forms part of Meridian Energy’s broader NZD 3 billion investment plan in renewable capacity expansion through 2030.
The solar park is expected to generate around 225 GWh of electricity annually, enough to supply tens of thousands of households. It will feature approximately 250,000 solar panels and will be built adjacent to existing grid infrastructure, enabling efficient power evacuation and storage integration.
Meridian Energy is already advancing similar hybrid renewable developments across New Zealand, including solar and battery projects designed to complement its hydroelectric generation assets and strengthen overall system reliability.
The Bunnythorpe Energy Park is scheduled to be developed in phases, with construction timelines and commissioning dates expected to be confirmed following final investment decisions.
Industry observers note that the project reflects a growing trend toward co-located solar-plus-storage systems, as utilities increasingly prioritise dispatchable renewable energy to support grid flexibility and peak demand management.
The approval further reinforces New Zealand’s accelerating transition toward renewable energy, with hybrid solar-storage projects playing a key role in reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-based generation and improving long-term energy security.
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