Pukenui Solar Farm
| Pukenui Solar Farm | |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Location | Aupouri Peninsula |
| Coordinates | 34°49′06″S 173°6′38″E / 34.81833°S 173.11056°E |
| Status | Operating |
| Construction began | 1 July 2021 |
| Commission date | 16 October 2025 |
| Construction cost | NZ$30 million |
| Owner | Aquila Capital |
| Solar farm | |
| Type | Flat-panel PV |
| Collectors | 35,000 |
| Site area | 19 ha |
| Power generation | |
| Nameplate capacity | 20.8 MW |
The Pukenui Solar Farm is a photovoltaic power station at Pukenui, near Houhora on the Aupouri Peninsula in the Far North District of New Zealand. The farm is owned by Aquila Capital, covers 19 hectares and has a PV rating of 20.8 MWp.[1] When announced, it was expected to be the largest solar farm in the country when complete.[2]
Far North Solar Farm applied for resource consent for the project in February 2021.[3] Construction began on 1 July 2021, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern turning the first sod.[4] It was expected to be operational in the second half of 2022, but as of October 2022 the site was untouched.[5] Earthworks started in late 2023.[6] Construction started in April 2024,[7] and the farm was commissioned in October 2025.[8]
The farm was acquired by Aquila Capital following the winding up a joint venture between them and FNSF in December 2025.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Yolisa Tswanya (9 October 2024). "Climate Change Minister Simon Watts visited the Far North's latest solar farm". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ Denise Piper (1 July 2021). "Sun shines on PM at Northland solar farm opening, but clouds remain over coal use". Stuff. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ Denise Piper (14 February 2021). "New Zealand's largest solar farm proposed for top of country". Stuff. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ Peter de Graaf (1 July 2021). "Work starts on NZ's biggest solar farm at Pukenui". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ^ Brent Melville (25 October 2022). "Far North Solar Farm a 'dead duck'?". Business Desk. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
- ^ de Graaf, Peter (27 November 2023). "'A task in itself': Country's largest solar power station built in Kaitāia". RNZ News. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ Mike Dinsdale (8 July 2024). "Far North's next solar farm to produce power from early 2025". Northern Advocate. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Yolisa Tswanya (16 October 2025). "Northland's new Pukenui Solar Farm to power 4000 homes after launch". Northland Age. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "Overseas investment decision for case 202500474 - Aquila Capital SG Holdco Pte. Ltd". Overseas Investment Office. 17 December 2025. Retrieved 4 March 2026.