New Zealand’s solar journey has reached a new milestone with the Kōwhai Park solar farm at Christchurch on the South Island now operational, adding 150 MW of renewable generation capacity to the country’s electricity system.
Developed through New Zealand generator and retailer Contact Energy and Lightsource bp’s joint venture (JV) partnership, the Kōwhai Park solar farm features more than 300,000 panels spread across a 230-hectare site adjacent to and leased from Christchurch Airport.
The 150 MW facility, owned and operated by the JV partners, is expected to generate 275 GWh of renewable energy a year. Long‑term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for the output have been signed with both Christchurch Airport and New Zealand dairy processor Synlait.
Contact Chief Executive Officer Mike Fuge said the $222 million (NZD 273 million) Kōwhai Park project demonstrates the opportunity renewable energy presents for New Zealand.
“We have huge aspirations for what renewable energy can deliver for this country,” he said. “Building new generation at scale gives businesses the confidence to electrify and strengthens our security of supply. That means a more resilient energy system, with more home-grown generation.”
Lightsource bp Asia-Pacific Chief Operating Officer Adam Pegg said the Kōwhai Park project forms part of the JV partners’ broader efforts to accelerate utility-scale solar deployment across New Zealand.
“We see significant opportunity for large-scale renewables to support New Zealand’s growing electricity needs, industrial electrification and long-term energy security,” he said. “Kōwhai Park demonstrates the scale of what can be achieved, and we look forward to building on that momentum.”
Kōwhai Park is the first solar project to be completed by the Contact and Lightsource bp JV that was launched in 2022. Other projects in the JV’s development pipeline include a 175 MW solar farm north of Auckland, and a 160 MW solar farm in Taranaki, adjacent to Contact’s Stratford power station.
The launch of the Kōwhai Park solar farm adds to New Zealand’s growing solar portfolio.
A recent report released by the country’s Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) shows New Zealand’s solar capacity increased by 52% during 2025, reached 830 MW by the end of the year, up from 545 MW at the end of 2024.
The country’s cumulative solar capacity now stands in excess of 1 GW with the 150 MW Tauhei Solar Farm and 38 MW Omeheu Solar Farm also switched on this year.
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