Harmony Energy and First Renewables have reached financial close on a 150MW solar project in New Zealand.
The Tauhei solar project will enter construction this year.
Elecnor will be responsible for the design, supply and construction of the park, including a substation and evacuation line.
Located on a 182-hectare site near Te Aroha on the North Island, this park will have a capacity of 202MW when fully operational by the end of 2026.
During the construction phase, which will span two years, the project will create around 350 jobs at its peak, as well as offering permanent employment opportunities once completed.
The project is funded by a consortium of banks, including ANZ, ASB, BNZ and MUFG Bank, while Meridian Energy has secured the purchase of 100% of the solar park’s output for the first ten years of operation.
In addition to its energy contribution, the project includes measures aimed at environmental conservation such as the planting of more than 120,000 native plant species to preserve the region’s biodiversity.
The park’s design will also allow for continued agricultural use of the land, replacing dairy farming with sheep farming, which will be able to benefit from the shade and shelter provided by the solar panels.
Tauhei Solar Park will be connected to Transpower’s 110 kV grid via the Waihou substation, ensuring the integration of its production into the national supply.