There is a proposal to construct what would be one of New Zealand’s largest solar farms in the Central Otago high country region, known internationally as the Mackenzie Basin. The title image is a 3D model with Ohau C Hydro Power Station at bottom left.
Far North Solar Farm Ltd previously applied for resource consent to build a peak 420MW solar energy farm complex requiring 736,836 (mind-boggling) photovoltaic solar panels on a 1655-acre site on the shores of Lake Benmore. The applicant company subsequently withdrew it’s submission via customary local authorities. It has now approached the New Zealand coalition Government which has indicated it will consider fast-tracking existing consenting processes with regard to renewable energy projects.
Another international solar farm of similar proportions by way of example
The applicant company is majority Australian-owned and has other interests in New Zealand solar electricity generation.
It is inarguable that Solar farms are one of the vital elements in any strategy to grow New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity; however, they need to be sited in appropriate places. Rejigit is of the view there must be many other suitable sites in New Zealand which are handy to a Transpower 220kV main transmission line but not on public display in an outstanding natural landscape.
A satellite rendition with Lake Ruataniwha adjacent to Twizel at the upper left
Mackenzie Country is internationally renowned as a big-sky, big-country natural landscape with a very sensitive ecological environment. It is essentially a dry geological basin surrounded by hills at high altitude and is adjacent to the confluence of several braided rivers.
Rejigit has previously written about the defacement of McKenzie Basin by various forms of ugly industrial clutter;
New Zealand Wilderness Legacy Being Squandered
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New Zealand has new legislation, the “Fast-Track Approvals Bill” which provides for one or more of three nominated ministers to fast-track resource consent approvals as opposed to the sometimes lengthy process of working through the Resource Management Act requirements.
The said three ministers may be interested to hear from citizens about this particular proposal;
Shane Jones Minister for Regional Development shane.jones@parliament.govt.nz
Chris Bishop Minister for RMA Reform chris.bishop@parliament.govt.nz
Simeon Brown Minister for Transport simeon.brown@parliament.govt.nz