| 43 T T Kim Newth New generation solar farms Electricity generation has started at Lodestone Energy’s first solar farm in Kaitaia. ENERGY Lodestone Energy CONNELL CONTRACTORS CONTINUING TO HELP POWER NEW ZEALAND WITH GREENER ENERGY For a vastly experienced contractor in the power sector visit connellcontractors.co.nz WAIKATO-BASED CONNELL CONTRACTORS IS CEMENTING IT’S PLACE IN A GREENER FUTURE ASSISTING WITH SECOND SOLAR FARM FOR NEW ENERGY, INFRATEC AND LOADSTONE ENERGY. Following the success of the Kaitaia Solar Farm, the 32MW Edgecumbe Solar Farm is poised to be a game-changer, providing clean energy to over 6,000 small businesses, farms, homes, and apartments annually, and Connell is playing a critical role in its success. Nationally award-winning Connell has been instrumental in shaping the physical foundation of Lodestone Energy’s vision. Since early 2023, Connell’s dedicated team has been on-site, transforming the landscape to accommodate this milestone in the Far North. “Our extensive planning and preparation, coupled with the right people and resources, allowed us to overcome challenges, particularly in the demanding winter conditions. We’re proud to have played a pivotal role in maximising Aotearoa New Zealand’s renewable energy output in a sustainable manner,” says CEO Lester Foxall. Connell Contractors continues to be a key player in New Zealand’s green infrastructure development, helping lay the foundations for vital energy projects. As Lodestone Energy’s Edgecumbe Solar Farm takes shape, Connell’s commitment to excellence is helping pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future. Sustainable electricity generation has started at Lodestone Energy’s first solar farm in Kaitaia, with a second farm in Edgecumbe soon to follow, as development of the country’s largest solar project to date continues apace. In total, five solar farms – expected to generate enough energy to power 50,000 homes - make up the first phase of development. “Our purpose is to accelerate Aotearoa’s electrification by building and operating renewable energy assets safely, in the right places, using the best available technology and with the best partners,” says Lodestone Energy Managing Director Gary Holden. “The continued development of utility scale solar farms enables us to harness the sun’s energy to power Aotearoa’s zero carbon future.” With Lodestone Energy’s 55 GWh Kaitaia plant on track to be providing enough energy to power more than 7,700 homes from early 2024, the focus of construction has now swung to Edgecumbe, chosen because of high solar intensity and sunshine hours. “Also important is a close location to the distribution network to be able to connect to easily. The Edgecumbe farm is located close to a strong electrical distribution network connection at Edgecumbe Plains substation, owned by Horizon Networks.” Lodestone Energy’s second solar farm, which is being funded through a mix of debt and equity with the predominant debt partner being Westpac New Zealand, is expected to start generating electricity from April 2024. With the layout and height of solar panels largely the same as the Kaitaia solar farm, the Edgecumbe site is expected to generate enough electricity annually to supply more than 7500 homes or small business. With co-existent agriculture in mind, the design also allows for sheep grazing under the panels. Construction partners New Energy by Drillco and Infratec are hard at work on the ground, along with Connell Contractors and Electronet, respectively managing the civil and electrical requirements. “We have developed strong and effective relationships with our construction partners including Infratec and New Energy and expect to continue working with them through the next three projects [Waiotahe, Whitianga and Dargaville].” Local people are playing a key role throughout construction at Edgecumbe, with around 80% of the mechanical team recruited from the local area. Generation from the Edgecumbe farm will be fed into the local grid at the Edgecumbe Plains substation with the energy allocated to commercial and retail customers. In September 2023, The Warehouse Group and Lodestone Energy signed an historic long term agreement. It means the Edgecumbe farm will play a valuable part in the group’s zero emissions journey. “Through the use of renewable electricity certificates, The Warehouse Group will ensure that electricity consumed at their sites will be matched and verified against solar electricity produced by Lodestone at our Edgecumbe solar farm.” Ngati Awa has had a prominent role in planning for the Edgecumbe solar farm alongside Lodestone Energy, having had input into the power line route between the farm and the Edgecumbe substation, and riparian planting and landscaping. “We have also engaged a Ngati Awa rep to provide pastoral care to workers on site. Local iwi are being kept informed through regular communications and hosting on site to view progress. “On the recommendation of Ngati Awa, the existing perimeter hedges will be supplemented with harakeke and pigeon wood. Additional native planting will be completed at the site entrance.” Lodestone Energy’s third solar farm at Waiotahe is also underway, with most of the mechanical work planned for completion before winter 2024. “By the end of 2024, we will be well on our way to achieving our mission of delivering new renewable electricity to help our customers meet their carbon zero goals. Watch this space -there is more to come!” “Our purpose is to accelerate Aotearoa’s electrification by building and operating renewable energy assets safely, in the right places, using the best available technology.”
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