Meridian Energy Secures Consent for 110 MW Morrinsville Solar Farm in New Zealand

Meridian Energy has received regulatory consent to develop the 110 MW Morrinsville Solar Farm near Morrinsville in New Zealand’s Waikato region, advancing its plans to expand the country’s renewable energy capacity.

The project will feature approximately 230,000 solar panels and is expected to generate up to 200 GWh of electricity annually, enough to supply more than 25,000 average New Zealand homes.

The 134-hectare site is located about 2 km east of Morrinsville and 600 metres south of the Piako substation, where the solar farm will connect to the national electricity grid. The consent also provides for the future integration of a distributed battery energy storage system (BESS) to enhance the project’s operational flexibility.

“It’s great to have received a green light,” said Mike Roan, Chief Executive of Meridian Energy. “This solar farm is one of a large number of projects we have in our development pipeline that will help boost the country’s energy supply and help bring prices down.”

Roan added that increasing solar generation would complement New Zealand’s hydroelectric resources by enabling more water to be stored in hydro lakes during periods of lower demand, strengthening the country’s long-term energy security.

Meridian said it plans to invest approximately NZ$3 billion by 2030 to develop new renewable energy projects and reinforce New Zealand’s electricity supply to meet rising electricity demand.

Subject to final investment approval by the Meridian Board, construction of the Morrinsville Solar Farm could commence in 2028, with an estimated construction period of around two years.

The project is expected to create more than 100 local construction jobs and generate tens of millions of dollars in local economic activity during the construction phase. Once operational, the solar farm is expected to support four to five permanent positions.

As part of its sustainability commitments, Meridian Energy said the project will include habitat and waterway enhancements, native riparian planting, and continued sheep grazing beneath the solar panels to maximise land use while maintaining agricultural activity. Landscaping measures will also be implemented to minimise visual impacts.