Kōwhai Park Solar Farm

Kōwhai Park Solar Farm
CountryNew Zealand
LocationChristchurch Airport
Coordinates43°29′45″S 172°30′38″E / 43.49583°S 172.51056°E / -43.49583; 172.51056
StatusUnder construction
Construction beganAugust 2024
Construction costNZ$300 million
OwnerContact Energy
Solar farm
TypeFlat-panel PV
Site area300 ha
Power generation
Nameplate capacity150 MW (168 MWp)[1]
Annual net output290 GWh[2]

The Kōwhai Park Solar Farm is a photovoltaic power station under construction at Christchurch Airport in Canterbury, New Zealand. The farm will be owned by a joint venture between Contact Energy and Lightsource BP.[3] When complete the farm will cover 300 hectares[4] and generate 150 MW of electricity.[5]

The project was first announced in December 2021.[6][7] In February 2023 Christchurch airport announced Contact Energy and Lightsource as its partners to develop and operate the solar farm.[8] Finance was agreed in August 2024,[3] and construction began the same month.[4] The first row of panels was installed in August 2025.[9] The solar farm is expected to be operational by 2026.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Kōwhai Park Solar Farm". Contact Energy. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Kōwhai Park - A new concept in renewable energy". Christchurch Airport. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Christchurch Airport solar project: Contact Energy pushes 'go'". New Zealand Herald. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Building begins on NZ's largest solar farm next to Christchurch Airport". RNZ. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Kōwhai Park - Answers to our most frequently asked questions". Christchurch Airport. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  6. ^ Liz McDonald (1 December 2021). "Solar plant powering 30,000 homes to be built at Christchurch Airport". Stuff. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  7. ^ "New Kōwhai Park at Christchurch Airport to generate renewable energy". RNZ. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Christchurch Airport signs up partners to build Kōwhai Park solar farm". RNZ. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Kōwhai Park Solar Farm Reaches 'Golden Row' Milestone, Marking Major Step In Delivery". Scoop. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.


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