US-headquartered I Squared Capital-backed energy developer Anza Power, established in Australia in January 2026, is acquiriing the 110 MW Karioi and 95 MW Ongaonga solar farms in Aotearoa New Zealand from utility-scale solar farm developer Helios Energy.
The construction-ready consented solar projects, with battery energy storage system (BESS) generation capacity, are expected to produce approximately 411,400 MWh of clean electricity annually or the equivalent demand of 58,000 homes.
Karioi Solar Farm
The North Island-based Karioi Solar Farm, located approximately 280 kilometres north of Wellington holds local council consent, following a two year planning, design and stakeholder engagement application process.
The project will connect to New Zealand transmission operator Transpower’s Tangiwai substation, with the site chosen for its high solar insolation and cooler ambient air temperatures.
The site is to be leased from a local farming family and will remain in agricultural production through ongoing sheep grazing, alongside deer grazing on surrounding paddocks.
The project design also preserves natural wetlands and provides for new native vegetation planting along site boundaries.
Ongaonga solar farm
The 95 MW Ongaonga solar farm is also on the North Island, approximately 250 kilometres northeast of Wellington, and will connect to Transpower’s nearby Waipawa substation.
Both projects have been shaped by consultation with mana whenua (the territorial rights, power and authority over the land by Māori or hapū people), and other stakeholders.
Anza Power Chief Executive Officer Carlo Frigerio said the projects add 205 MW to Anza’s New Zealand Pipeline.
These include the 42 MWdc Somerton Solar Farm in Canterbury, where Anza signed its first New Zealand offtake agreement with Fonterra in June 2026.
In Canterbury, Anza is also advancing the 100 MW Norwood Solar Farm, and the 70 MW Highfield Solar Farm at Charing Cross, together representing a further 170 MW of solar capacity with BESS optionality at the Highfield site.
Anza now holds a portfolio across Australia and New Zealand of approximately 1.5 GW of solar PV and 3.5 GWh of battery energy storage.
The Helios team has delivered over 600 MWac of consented development projects across the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
Helios Energy Managing Director Jeff Schlichting said Anza gives both projects the strongest possible pathway to construction and operation.
“For the Helios team, seeing these projects built is an important milestone, and we couldn’t ask for a better custodian to take them forward,” Schlichting said.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: [email protected].
Comments
Please login to comment
The new issue of pv magazine Global is out now!
Available in print and digital – get your copy today!
You have no items in your basket.
