CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand​​ — In a pivotal move toward achieving its 2035 carbon neutrality goals, New Zealand has granted full resource consent to a groundbreaking 200 MWh solar-plus-storage project in Canterbury. Developed by ​​Ethical Power​​ in partnership with ​​KeaX​​, the 65 MW solar farm and battery energy storage system (BESS) will generate clean energy for 11,000 homes annually while reducing carbon emissions by 6,500 tonnes per year. This approval marks a significant milestone in the country’s push to balance renewable energy generation with grid stability.

Project Overview: Bridging Solar and Storage​

The Buckleys Road Solar Farm is located on 111 hectares of land located near Christchurch, creating 140,000 solar panels with single axis tracking, and a 65 MW/200 MWh BESS. The BESS is capable of absorbing any excess solar energy created by the panels during dull sunny days, and releasing that energy to the grid during the high demand period, helping New Zealand’s intermittency of supply issue with renewable energy generation, which is increasing with growing generation from solar energy.
Some important design considerations are:
1. It is a dual-use of land. Sheep will continue to be grazed on the land once the solar farm is constructed, which reduces conflict with land-use and farmer in use.
2. Resilience for the grid. The solar farm is located next to the Brookside 66 kV substation, making it possible for the solar farm to maximize the use of infrastructure already available in the grid, which will reduce the possible connection and transmission costs to deliver renewable energy to the grid.
3. Cultural heritage through the inclusion of a Māori Wāhi Taonga (a Wāhi Taonga could be defined as a treasured site, or treasured location) which demonstrates the partnership with Te Taumutu Runanga and recognition of the heritage of Indigenous Peoples.

Economic and Environmental Benefits​

The initiative is set to bring twofold advantages:
1.​​Energy Security​​: By stocking up excess solar power, the BESS will lessen dependence on fossil fuel peaker plants, especially in the dry years when the generation of hydroelectricity is lower than average. New Zealand realized this lesson in early 2023 when reduced hydroelectric production drove wholesale electricity prices up 300 percent.
​​2.Job Creation​​: An estimated 150 jobs will be generated during the construction phase of this project and 10 permanent jobs for operations and maintenance will be established. Priority will be given to local contractors and Māori-owned businesses for the supply chain.
3.Additionally, the solar farm will remove approximately 28,000 tonnes of CO₂ pollution from the yearly atmosphere—which is akin to taking 6,000 cars off of the road. The project also includes planning wetland restoration efforts to balance the surrounding environment.

​Policy and Market Context​​

New Zealand’s transition to renewable energy has become increasingly important with growing demand for energy and changing climate commitments. Currently, about 80 percent of electricity consumed in New Zealand is from renewable sources, yet the still proceed of grid instability and spikes in demand result in challenges to continue growing renewables.

The New Zealand’s Renewable Energy Strategy aims to increase solar capacity to double by 2035. Two noteworthy projects, the Buckleys Road solar farm and Meridian Energy’s Ruakākā Energy Park, are examples of this target being achieved.

The approval is part of similar milestones:
Ruakākā Energy Park: Meridian Energy plans to construct a 100 MW solar farm along with a 100 MW/200 MWh BESS to be operational by 2027 to supply power to 23,000 households and decrease emissions by 12,000 tonnes per annum.
Huntly Power Station BESS: Genesis Energy is constructing a 100 MW/200 MWh storage system using Saft’s Intensium Max storage containers to help stabilize the North Island’s grid and participate in the reserve market.

​Technology and Innovation​

The Buckleys Road BESS employs lithium-ion technology to support the rapid energy changes in the grid. Some examples are:
Hybrid inverter systems: A hybrid inverter system uses both solar and storage to dispatch the most deflected energy.
Fire safety: AI-enabled thermal management systems will help suppress fires in lithium-ion battery systems, an important safety element given the recent news headlines, globally.
Saft provided the BESS battery modules for both the Ruakākā and Huntly modules, suggesting further French involvement in New Zealand’s energy infrastructure.

Challenges and Future Outlook​

While there has been progress, there are still obstacles ahead:

Grid modernization: Outdated infrastructure in rural areas will need $3 billion of investment to upgrade to the capacity to accommodate solar and battery storage in a decentralized manner.

Regulatory obstacles: Consent processes for large-scale works could still be streamlined, such as what Ethical Power encountered when obtaining consent for an 18-month period for 18 months.

For the future, Energy Minister Megan Woods indicated that there is a plan to expand the National Grid Battery Program with the ambition of 500 MWh storage by 2027. Woods stated: “Projects like Buckleys Road and Ruakākā demonstrate that renewables plus storage will provide quality and affordable energy”.

Community Engagement and Legacy​

Local stakeholders, including farmers and iwi (Māori tribes), have welcomed the project’s collaborative approach. “It’s not just about energy, it’s about protecting our way of life and embracing innovation,” said Te Taumutu Runanga spokesperson Hana Te Aroha.
For residents like John Wilson, a small business owner in Christchurch, the project represents a brighter, cleaner future. “Lower energy costs and reduced emissions will help my café be successful, while protecting our environment,” he said.

Conclusion​

New Zealand’s approval of the 200 MWh solar-plus-storage project confirms its position as a pioneer in the world’s energy revolution. Through the integration of technological innovations and a community-oriented approach, New Zealand is setting an example for sustainable development. Beginning construction in early 2026, the Buckleys Road farm will be a beacon of hope—a model of responsible climate action that combines conventional and creative methods.