Lodestone Energy’s Haldon Station solar project would become the first solar energy project to be considered by an expert panel under new fast-track legislation, a company statement said.
Situated next to Lake Benmore in the Mackenzie Basin, the proposed 220MW solar farm would occupy 320ha within Haldon Station’s expansive 22,000ha property.
The project’s fast-track application documents said it would connect and supply electricity to the national grid, providing a "regionally significant" peak output of 180MW.
Construction of the solar farm was expected to create more than 250 new jobs over an initial year-long construction period and further jobs over its 35-year lifetime, it said.
Lodestone managing director Gary Holden said the latest milestone was a significant step for a project with real strategic value, accelerating New Zealand’s renewable energy development.
"We are thankful the government has recognised that this project had the fundamentals to qualify under their stringent criteria. Our industry as a whole is dedicated to bringing new sources of electricity generation to the market, and the fast-track process is a real boost to making this happen.
"Expediting a well-considered, low-impact project like Haldon — with exceptional solar potential, strong transmission access, and minimal visual impact — is exactly the kind of outcome the fast-track legislation was designed to support," Mr Holden said.
Instead of being a dual-use site incorparating traditional farming with solar generation, the Haldon Station project would focus on "ecological restoration".
The site would be enclosed with rabbit-proof fencing, pest-controlled and destocked, encouraging native vegetation and other flora to regenerate under the partial shade and shelter of the solar panels.
Haldon Station’s farm manager Paddy Boyd said the project was "a win-win" for regeneration.
"The removal of stock and pests, coupled with shade from the panels, will be beneficial for land that is prone to drought, wind and extreme sun exposure.
"This is a regeneration project, not just an energy one."
Lodestone Energy said the site was "discreetly located", screened from public view, and sat directly beneath high-capacity transmission infrastructure, enabling efficient grid connection.
The project could also help nearby hydro-generation by helping preserve lake storage levels during dry periods and peak summer demand, the statement said.
