Lightsource bp and “gen-tailer” Contract Power plan to construct as much as 380 GWh of annual grid-scale PV era in New Zealand by 2026. The businesses have now been chosen to develop what might be one of many largest photo voltaic farm within the nation.

Picture: Christchurch Airport

From pv journal Australia

Christchurch Airport has chosen Lightsource bp – an fairness three way partnership between UK-based photo voltaic specialist Lightsource and oil large BP – and New Zealand’s Contract Power as its companions to assist develop the primary 150 MW part within the deliberate Kōwhai Park renewable vitality precinct.

The primary part of the park will initially include a 150 MW photo voltaic farm able to producing 290 GWh of unpolluted vitality per yr that might be used to assist the aviation business transition from fossil fuels. Battery vitality storage and the era of inexperienced hydrogen are additionally earmarked for the precinct’s future, with Christchurch Airport in search of to speed up the decarbonisation of New Zealand’s business.

“It begins with the photo voltaic farm however we’re working to incorporate inexperienced hydrogen era alongside the best way,” stated Christchurch Airport Chief Govt Officer Justin Watson. “Kowhai Park will allow low-emissions aviation and assist present the extra inexperienced vitality New Zealand wants to maneuver away from fossil fuels. We’re excited to seek out companions who’ve the technical capability to do it nicely and the values ​​to verify it is accomplished proper.

The photo voltaic farm, consisting of roughly 300,000 photo voltaic panels, might be constructed on a 300 hectare website adjoining to the runways of Christchurch airport. The placement is near the community of the electrical energy distributor Orion and the strains of the grid operator Transpower.

Topic to the ultimate funding choice, building of the photo voltaic farm is anticipated to start in 2024. The Kōwhai Park challenge is Lightsource bp’s first in New Zealand, nevertheless it is probably not the final.

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