| 19 T T Virginia Wright Solar-power solution for Northland The Twin Rivers Solar Farm looks to generate around 42 (Gwh) per annum, enough electricity to supply almost 6000 homes. Ranui Generation REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT It was around the time of Covid in 2020 that good friends Jason Foden and Des Godson started exploring ideas around solar and renewable energy. Although incentives were being offered for investors to set up electric vehicle chargers around the country, they opted instead to put their time and energy into finding investors for supply rather than demand. Jason and Des say they prefer to be part of the solution to New Zealand’s ever-growing demand for electricity, believing that renewables provide part of the answer to a problem that’s only getting bigger’ “We’re not building any more large-scale hydroelectricity solutions, and when the sun’s shining it’s not raining and filling up the hydrolakes, so let’s rely on solar a little more, and on wind when it’s blowing, and try to offset some of the demand on our hydropower stations,” says Jason. Working with a couple of international experts in the area of large-scale solar renewable, the pair established Ranui Generation and started looking for their first site. The 34-hectare farm they found in Pamapuria, Northland, about 10 kilometres out of Kaitaia and handy to Highway 1, is also close to the local Top Energy substation. Ranui Generation focuses attention on sites of less than 50 hectares, as this size solar farm strikes the balance of having a meaningful impact with the renewable energy generated without overly impacting on the community. Crucially, it means they don’t have to build their own substation, which is why proximity to one is important. Top Energy, the local lines company, takes power to 34,000 electricity consumers in the Far North. The Twin Rivers Solar Farm looks to generate around 42 (Gwh) per annum, enough electricity to supply almost 6000 homes. At the time Jason and Des were looking for land, Luke Lunjevich was running the Pamapuria farm on his own, although it had been in his family for close to 100 years. It was his idea to call it Twin Rivers, a name he had always liked the idea of for the farm, as it is bordered by the Victoria and Takahue rivers. They worked closely with Luke and with the adjoining Te Paatu Marae in the lead-up to its purchase, and through the complexities of resource consent that followed. Luke’s family and the Te Paatu Marae had lived next door to each other for generations, and they had a real interest in what we intended, explains Jason. “There’s an urupa on the farm, so we wanted to let them know we’d put a covenant around that and would be respectful of the land. They really helped us with the resource consent and the Far North District Council were very open to the whole process as well.” Being so far away from where most of New Zealand’s electricity is generated means Northland pays the highest wholesale electricity prices in the country, and it’s hoped the renewable energy from Twin Rivers will bring wholesale prices down over time, which will eventually filter through to household electricity bills. “That the poorest region in New Zealand is paying the highest price doesn’t seem right,” says Jason. Phased In plays a crucial role in New Zealand's renewable energy sector, bringing 14 years of hands-on experience in the high-voltage electrical industry, including the successful development of four solar farms, with Twin Rivers now their fifth. Phased In’s expertise is vital in generating raw solar energy for distribution onto the national grid. “We specialize in a very specific aspect of solar farm construction, handling all medium voltage terminations and connections on sites such as the Twin Rivers Solar Farm. We install cable systems and connect to associated equipment that operates at 11,000 or 33,000 volts. We also collaborate with industry-leading companies like Empowered to ensure safety through rigorous testing,” says owner Brad Lalich. Phased In’s ability to foresee challenges by reviewing designs and understanding on-site application allows them to suggest realistic, site-specific changes. This experience and familiarity with core systems make Phased In invaluable consultants in solar farm development. “Solar generation is a relatively new area of focus for New Zealand, and we are passionate about helping our clients achieve their goals within this sector. We provide our clients with peace of mind in their investment through our extensive knowledge and skillset.” Phased In is known for its high standards and strong relationships. Phased In can also provide a highly skilled network of contractors to offer a comprehensive service package to clients like Ranui Gen and other renewable energy providers. Phased In Powers NZ’s Solar Surge Empowered Technical Services – Powering Reliability in the Electrical Industry Empowered Technical Services (Empowered) are specialists in high-voltage testing and commissioning, ensuring electrical assets are safe, compliant, and performing at their best. Trusted by power generators, distributors, and industrial operators, Empowered plays a critical role in connecting large-scale projects such as the Twin Rivers Solar Farm to the grid. Their experienced engineers and power technicians successfully tested the 33 MW solar system’s interface with the distribution network, confirming it met industry standards and was safe to energise. Based in Waikato, Empowered’s nine-strong team combines electrical engineering expertise and power technician qualifications with years of hands-on experience across New Zealand and abroad. Their services span the full lifecycle of electrical assets: equipment selection, functional and scheme testing, commissioning, maintenance, and 24/7 fault response. Empowered’s capabilities extend across generation, transmission, distribution, medium-voltage industrial, and mining. Equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, the team works with transformers, circuit breakers, relays, SCADA systems, and switchgear. With a proven track record and unwavering commitment to safety, Empowered gives clients confidence that complex systems are installed correctly, operate reliably, and are supported for the long term. Empowered Technical Services – www.epts.co.nz • Low/High Voltage Cable Jointing • Electrical Testing • Switching • Permit Holding • Training • Supervising • Consulting • Project Management • Cable Installation • Trenching/Excavation w w w . p h a s e d i n . c o . n z Brad Lalich brad@phasedin.co.nz +64277135565 Dawn Lalich admin@phasedin.co.nz +64274502256 Phone: +64 21 2403424 Email: Sales@epts.co.nz w w w . e p t s . c o . n z High Voltage Electrical Testing & Commissioning – specialist Power Technicians available Maintenance & Fault Response – enabling asset reliability Acceptance & Pre-Commissioning Testing – verifying systems before full operations Quality Reporting & Documentation – accurate test results and compliance records
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