Harmony Energy and Clarus to develop one of NZ’s largest solar farms

Global renewable energy infrastructure developer Harmony Energy and joint venture partner First Renewables – part of New Zealand energy group Clarus (formerly Firstgas Group) aim to develop and own Tauhei Solar Farm on 182ha near Te Aroha.

At the time of commissioning in 2026 it is expected to be New Zealand’s largest solar farm at 150MW, says Harmony Energy.

Subject to obtaining all necessary consents and approvals, the solar farm’s 330,000 solar panels will generate more than 270GWh annually – the equivalent of supplying about 35,000 Kiwi homes, it says.

The project, qualified for fast-track consenting via the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Act 2020 because of its economic and environmental benefits, got consent in October 2022.

Since then, the project has been further developed with a final investment decision expected later this year, pending regulatory approvals.

Construction could start this year.

“The Tauhei Solar Farm will be a project that the Waikato and the whole of New Zealand can be proud of,” says Harmony Energy director Pete Grogan.  

“It will support our ambitions to reduce emissions, enhance energy security and help mitigate the negative impact of climate change,” he says, adding it will also create opportunities for local businesses, employment and significant biodiversity gains, as well as being able to generate energy alongside continued farming production.

Clarus future fuels general manager James Irvine says utility-scale solar generation presents a significant, complementary, and largely untapped source of renewable energy in New Zealand, as proven in many markets overseas.

United Kingdom’s Harmony Energy which develops and owns battery energy storage systems (BESS) has built the three largest BESS projects in Europe (by MWh), including the multi-award winning Pillswood project being one of Great Britain’s best performing BESS sites. It also builds, owns and operates wind and solar assets.

First Renewables role within Clarus is to identify opportunities to invest in renewable energy developments, both renewable gas and electricity, with a view to delivering renewable energy projects to help meet the changing needs of energy consumers across New Zealand.