Pukenui Solar Farm
| Pukenui Solar Farm | |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Location | Aupouri Peninsula |
| Coordinates | 34°49′06″S 173°6′38″E / 34.81833°S 173.11056°E |
| Status | Operating |
| Construction began | 1 July 2021 |
| Commission date | 16 October 2025 |
| Construction cost | NZ$30 million |
| Owner | Aquila Capital |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Collectors | 35,000 |
| Site area | 19 ha |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 20.8 MW DC (17.16 MW AC) |
| Annual net output | 29.2 GWh |
The Pukenui Solar Farm is a photovoltaic power station at Pukenui, near Houhora on the Aupouri Peninsula in the Far North District of New Zealand. The farm is owned by Aquila Capital, covering 19 hectares[1] with a PV rating of 20.8 MWp and an inverter capacity of 17.2 MW[2]. When announced, it was expected to be the largest solar farm in the country when complete.[3]
Far North Solar Farm applied for resource consent for the project in February 2021.[4] Construction began on 1 July 2021, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern turning the first sod.[5] It was expected to be operational in the second half of 2022, but as of October 2022 the site was untouched.[6] Earthworks started in late 2023.[7] Construction started in April 2024,[8] and the farm was commissioned in October 2025.[9]
The farm was acquired by Aquila Capital following the winding up a joint venture between them and FNSF in December 2025.[10]
See also
References
- ↑ Yolisa Tswanya (9 October 2024). "Climate Change Minister Simon Watts visited the Far North's latest solar farm". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ↑ "Pukenui solar farm BraveTrace NZECS electricity production device info sheet" (PDF). BraveTrace. December 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2026.
- ↑ Denise Piper (1 July 2021). "Sun shines on PM at Northland solar farm opening, but clouds remain over coal use". Stuff. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ Denise Piper (14 February 2021). "New Zealand's largest solar farm proposed for top of country". Stuff. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ Peter de Graaf (1 July 2021). "Work starts on NZ's biggest solar farm at Pukenui". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ Brent Melville (25 October 2022). "Far North Solar Farm a 'dead duck'?". Business Desk. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
- ↑ de Graaf, Peter (27 November 2023). "'A task in itself': Country's largest solar power station built in Kaitāia". RNZ News. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ↑ Mike Dinsdale (8 July 2024). "Far North's next solar farm to produce power from early 2025". Northern Advocate. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ↑ Yolisa Tswanya (16 October 2025). "Northland's new Pukenui Solar Farm to power 4000 homes after launch". Northland Age. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ↑ "Overseas investment decision for case 202500474 - Aquila Capital SG Holdco Pte. Ltd". Overseas Investment Office. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2026.