Meridian’s 420MW Western Bays solar farm near Taupō referred to Fast-track

Meridian Energy’s proposed Western Bays Solar Farm on the western side of Lake Taupō has been referred for consideration under the Government’s Fast-track consenting process.

If approved, it would be one of the largest solar farms in New Zealand, generating up to 420MW, or 870GWh a year. Meridian says that is enough to power 113,000 homes and equal to about 2% of the country’s current electricity generation.

The project also has the option of distributed batteries across the site, with a potential combined capacity of 250MW and up to eight hours of storage.

Meridian says the panels will not be visible from Lake Taupō or the surrounding rural area because of the site’s topography. It plans to lodge its full application early next year.

“Fast-track requires a lot of work to be done up front, so we’ve been working hard on this project for a couple of years. We’ve taken time to ensure the application is as detailed and well thought-out as possible, based on feedback from iwi and hapū, and the local community,” says chief executive Mike Roan.

Roan says projects of this size are possible because of Meridian’s balance sheet and investment pipeline.

“It’s through investments like these that we’re delivering the new generation New Zealand needs. New Zealanders rightly have high expectations for the electricity sector, and we’re committed to playing our part.”

Meridian’s development pipeline includes about 8.8TWh of secured development options and a further 6.5TWh of advanced prospects, which it says is more than a third of New Zealand’s current electricity demand.