New Zealand’s solar capacity reached 830 MW by the end of 2025, according to a report released by the country’s Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE).
MBIE’s Energy in New Zealand 2026 report says the country’s solar capacity increased by 52% during 2025, increasing from 545 MW at the start of the year.
The growth is attributed largely to the development of New Zealand’s utility-scale solar market, including the country’s first solar park to be connected directly to the national transmission grid. A total seven utility-scale solar plants of 9 MW or larger were switched on in New Zealand last year, the report says.
New Zealand’s cumulative solar capacity now likely stands in excess of 1 GW. Additional utility-scale plants have already been switched on in 2026, including the 150 MW Tauhei Solar Farm and 38 MW Omeheu Solar Farm.
MBIE’s report adds total electricity generation capacity from renewables surpassed 9 GW in 2025, led by hydro and geothermal sources. Solar made up 9.1% of this figure, compared to 1.9% in 2020.
The share of renewables in New Zealand’s primary energy supply increased from 45.6% in 2024 to a record 47.7% last year. In 2025, 88.5% of electricity in New Zealand was generated from renewable sources, compared to 85.5% the year prior.
Energy consumption from renewable sources increased to a record 32% of total consumption, which MBIE’s report says reflects both an increase in renewable supply and lower industrial demand for energy, which is mainly met from non-renewable sources. Elsewhere, coal consumption dropped to record lows, while natural gas consumption fell to its lowest level since 2008.
MBIE says solar generation is expected to continue increasing over the next few years, with further grid-connected solar plants currently under construction or in planning.
An investment pipeline published by the country’s Electricity Authority shows over 1.7 GW of new capacity from committed projects expected to come online over the next three years, with solar accounting for 930 MW of the total. Renewable energy sources account for 94% of the total planned capacity, with battery energy storage accounting for the remaining 6%.
The utility-scale expansion comes as the government also seeks to encourage smaller-scale solar installations. Earlier this week, it backed plans to legalize plug-in solar for households as part of efforts to make the country’s rules governing the installation or small- and medium-sized solar systems “the simplest in the developed world.”
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