WELLINGTON: Meridian Energy has announced plans to begin construction on its first New Zealand solar farm this August, with the $227 million Ruakākā Solar Farm set to boost the nation’s energy system and resilience in the Northland region.
The 130-megawatt solar farm, located south of Whangārei, will feature 250,000 solar panels spread across an area equivalent to 170 rugby fields. Once operational, it is expected to generate up to 230 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power approximately half of Northland’s households. The project, approved by the Meridian Board, marks the latest milestone in the company’s renewable energy expansion.
“This project is special. Not just because it’s our first solar farm in New Zealand, but because it will add so much to the Northland region in terms of energy resilience, and we’ve seen in recent years how important that is,” said Meridian Chief Executive Neal Barclay.
Barclay noted that the Ruakākā Solar Farm is part of a larger wave of renewable energy projects aimed at enhancing electricity use, reducing reliance on thermal fuels, and increasing energy security during dry years. He emphasized that these initiatives will ultimately lower wholesale power prices for New Zealand homes and businesses.
Adjacent to the solar farm is the 100MW Ruakākā Battery Energy Storage System, which will become fully operational in April. Together, the solar farm and battery system will complete Meridian’s Ruakākā Energy Park.
Meridian has contracted renewable energy specialist Ethical Power for construction and operations, with initial generation anticipated in late 2026 and full generation by early 2027. Ethical Power brings extensive experience in solar and battery storage projects across the UK, Spain, Italy, and New Zealand.
The Ruakākā Solar Farm announcement follows several recent developments in Meridian’s renewable energy pipeline, including consents for the Mt Munro Wind Farm and a battery energy storage system in Manawatū, as well as a joint venture with Nova Energy Limited to build the Te Rahui Solar Farm near Taupō.
“There is real momentum in our development pipeline,” Barclay said, highlighting Meridian’s $3 billion investment plan through 2030, with $1 billion committed this year alone. “We know we’ve got what it takes to get these projects built and delivering more clean energy for our system and customers across Aotearoa.”