| 3 “I knew for this to work in New Zealand it had to be fundamentally economic and outside of the framework of the traditional gentailer.” Gary Holden T T to page 4 REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Lodestone Energy T T Kim Newth Large-scale solar coming on stream Lodestone Energy’s second solar farm near Edgecumbe is due for completion in the second quarter of 2024. Lodestone Energy is fast positioning as Aotearoa New Zealand’s foremost solar energy producer, with their first solar farm near Kaitaia now nearing completion and with four more soon to follow. The 55 GWh Kaitaia farm has some 60,000 solar panels and, once operational, will supply electricity to a Top Energy substation that powers a local mill. Lodestone Energy’s second solar farm of similar scale – located near Edgecumbe and due for completion in the second quarter of 2024 - will supply electricity to local residents, a dairy plant and other nearby commercial and industrial users. In the pipeline are another three solar farms to be built in Waiotahe, Whitianga and Dargaville. Lodestone Energy’s first five solar farms are expected to generate enough energy to power 50,000 homes, but the ambition to harness the sun’s energy to help power New Zealand’s zero carbon future doesn’t stop there. “We’re now into the next phase and raising another $500 million to build eight more solar farms that will include South Island locations too,” says Lodestone Energy Managing Director Gary Holden, who first started formulating plans to bring solar into this country’s mainstream energy market some seven years ago. Recent advances in solar technology have ensured such a vision is economically and practically feasible. The first phase of capital raising kicked off in 2019. “I knew for this to work in New Zealand it had to be fundamentally economic and outside of the framework of the traditional gentailer. It needed to be disruptive and we wanted it to be a 100 per cent New Zealand based company.” A number of private NZ funders put the money in to start the company and buy land for the first five solar farms. Lodestone Energy then successfully raised the capital needed - $300 million – to build the farms, with Westpac on board as senior debt provider. Lodestone’s kaupapa is to be dedicated partners and collaborators with community and stakeholder groups with local iwi engagement a core commitment. Reyburn & Bryant are proud to support Lodestone Energy Proudly servingNorthland since1965 P 09 438 3563 Wwww.reyburnandbryant.co.nz HARBOURSIDE BOAT WORKS LTD • Sealed hardstand • Cater to launches, yachts and catamarans • Refit work • Antifouling • Propspeed • Repairs • Conversation Projects • Insurance work We have a team of qualified boatbuilders experienced in woodwork and fibreglass as well as many other talents 09 438 9907 | 027 468 8111 | harboursideboatworks@gmail.com www.harboursideboatworks.co.nz | Port Nikau, Lower Port Rd, Whangarei Contact us:
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