Lodestone powers up its fifth Solar farm, and first in the South Island
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Lodestone continues to deliver at pace with their South Canterbury project achieving first generation on time and on budget. The company’s fifth solar farm and its first in the South Island.
Lodestone Energy, New Zealand’s leading solar energy generator-retailer, has achieved first power at its solar farm in South Canterbury earlier this week.
Located at Clandeboye, just north of Temuka, the 27.7 megawatt farm will be capable of powering around 6,000 homes once fully commissioned. It’s the first grid-scale solar farm connected to Alpine Energy’s network, adding a new source of locally generated renewable electricity feeding into the local distribution network.
The Clandeboye solar farm took 12 months to build, and at peak, employed around 70 people. The project has been delivered on time and budget by its construction partner Ethical Power New Zealand and their key subcontractor New Energy.
As the 3,700 native plants established around the site boundary mature, the solar farm will be visually discreet, as it quietly generates clean energy for the surrounding community. Under Lodestone’s long-term lease, the land will remain productive, transitioning from cattle to sheep grazing and continuing Lodestone’s dual-use approach of combining farming with solar generation.
Solar generation in the South Island complements the region’s existing hydro generation. By adding solar to the mix, this farm, alongside others, will help to diversify renewable supply and preserve lake levels in dry years, when hydro storage comes under pressure. An increasingly important consideration for the country’s security of supply.
Gary Holden, Managing Director of Lodestone, says reaching first power in the South Island is proof the company is delivering on its plan:
“Clandeboye is our fifth solar farm we’ve built. With every new farm we successfully deliver, a new group of customers can enjoy the benefits of low cost solar energy. By bringing new sources of renewable energy to market, right-sized for the communities they serve, we are making a meaningful contribution to New Zealand’s energy transition while providing a competitive power alternative in the retail market. It’s a really positive thing to be a part of.”
Clandeboye adds to a growing base of certified renewable generation that underpins Lodestone’s retail offering. An offering which originally served large commercial customers, but is now expanding in the North Island to serve homes and businesses.
Sarah McHardy, Lodestone’s GM Customer says it is exciting to have another farm starting to produce and to be able to provide good value electricity to consumers.
“We want local businesses to benefit from the solar energy we’re generating within their communities. It’s about making good value electricity more accessible for all, regardless of whether you can install a rooftop system.”
Caroline Ovenstone, Chief Executive of Alpine Energy, said: “We’re proud to have worked alongside Lodestone to connect this project to our network. As the first large-scale solar generation connected to Alpine’s network, the Clandeboye solar farm is an important milestone for South Canterbury and reflects the growing role renewable generation will play in meeting New Zealand’s future electricity needs. This investment brings new generation into our region and demonstrates what can be achieved through strong collaboration and a shared commitment to New Zealand’s energy future.”
This project is one of Lodestone’s four consented South Island projects, including Haldon Station in the Mackenzie Basin which recently received draft approval through the Government’s Fast-track process. As Clandeboye moves towards completion, Lodestone has already begun construction on its sixth solar farm, a joint venture in Central Hawke’s Bay, and continues to build a pipeline of shovel-ready projects across the country.
Lodestone is progressing its vision of a solar farm powering every community with over 200 megawatts of solar now delivered or under construction across New Zealand.