Solar farm project pieces come together

Solar farm project pieces come together
Lodestone plans five solar farms across the upper North Island. (Image: Supplied)
Ian Llewellyn
Plans to build New Zealand’s first major commercial solar farms are falling into place with Lodestone Energy looking to break ground in December and be generating power by mid-2022.Lodestone Energy has now agreed conditional terms for a $150 million debt facility with Westpac, which makes up half of its required funding to build five solar farms in the Far North, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty.Lodestone chief executive Gary Holden said there was a lot of interest from banks in renewable energy projects “but we had to put up a compelli...

More Energy

$200m gas fund may not be enough as Māui closure looms
Policy

$200m gas fund may not be enough as Māui closure looms

The fund has been expanded to cover gas storage.

Commerce Commission approves Huntly agreement
Markets

Commerce Commission approves Huntly agreement

Gentailer deal to keep Rankine unit running gets a quick tick.

Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation
Policy

Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation

Burning some coal to enable more renewable power "not a bad deal".

Pattrick Smellie 05 Nov 2025
Genesis gets fast-track greenlight for Tekapo power scheme
News in Brief

Genesis gets fast-track greenlight for Tekapo power scheme

Genesis Energy has received fast-track approval to continue operating and maintaining the Tekapo hydro power scheme.It lodged the fast-track application in April 2025 for the scheme, which includes Tekapo A and B power stations and substations, and the canal system. Genesis has o...

Staff reporters 03 Nov 2025