New solar farm to generate enough power for 800 homes

A new solar farm near Seddon has started producing energy for the region in what has been called a "significant investment" for Marlborough.

Energy Marlborough, a subsidiary of Marlborough lines, has announced its new Seaview solar farm produced its first energy in October.

The solar farm, adjacent to Yealands Winery, had 6168 solar panels, which Energy Marlborough said made it the largest farm in the upper South Island.

It was expected to generate enough power for 800 "typical" residential homes in Marlborough, which was more than 1.5 percent of the regions's annual energy needs.

Marlborough Lines chief executive Tim Cosgrove said the new solar farm represented a significant investment in renewable energy.

He said the solar farm was a major step forward in meeting the region's growing local energy needs "more sustainably".

"With Marlborough's abundant sunshine hours and Marlborough Lines' strong commitment to sustainability, solar farms represent a strategic step toward reducing carbon emissions and supporting the region's projected growth in energy requirements," Cosgrove said.

The solar farm was part of a broader vision for energising Marlborough's future as a "regional leader" in renewable energy.

Marlborough Lines was owned by the electricity consumers of Marlborough. The Marlborough Electric Power Trust (MEPT) held those shares on behalf of Marlburians.

In 2021, the lines company established Energy Marlborough, with the aim of getting into power generation. It hoped to produce 50 megawatts of renewable energy by 2030 and was mostly exploring solar farms.

Energy Marlborough said work to construct an even larger solar farm in Ward started this month.

That solar farm was given the green light after it went to a resource consent hearing in June this year after two residents told the Marlborough District Council they wanted to be heard on their concerns about the development.

Independent commissioner Craig Welsh granted the consent on 8 August, with the farm expected to generate 3 percent of Marlborough Lines' annual electricity.

"Generating energy in the area where it is to be used is efficient," Welsh said in his decision.

Energy Marlborough Ltd had also lodged a resource consent application in March for a solar farm on Dillons Point Rd, east of Blenheim. That application was ongoing, as the council had asked for more information.

The 8-hectare site on Dillons Point Rd was purchased by Energy Marlborough last year with the intention of constructing the proposed solar farm.

The consent application for that farm was for up to 9000 solar panels over 5ha.

The company wrote to neighbours last year about their intention to apply for the consent which some raised concerns about.

Meanwhile, plans to build the South Island's largest wind farm were up in the air after Energy Marlborough decided to step away from the partnership.

The $200m Mt Cass Wind Farm was expected to generate enough electricity to power 40,000 homes, with 22 turbines dotted along the Mt Cass ridgeline, north of Amberley.

It was a 50/50 joint venture between Energy Marlborough, and MainPower, a North Canterbury lines company.

However, Marlborough Lines board chairman Phil Robinson confirmed in July the lines company had decided, when it came time to make a "final investment decision", to "step away" from the project.

Marlborough Lines still owned 50 percent of the company behind the wind farm, GreenPower New Zealand. MainPower owned the other 50 percent.

Marlborough Lines was also still trying to sell Yealands Wine Group, bought in 2015, to help fund investment in Energy Marlborough. The wine company had been on the market for two years.

The Marlborough Electric Power Trust annual reporting meeting would be held on Monday, 25 November at 7pm in the Programmes Room at Stadium 2000.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.