Energy
NZ’s largest solar farm powers up
Lodestone’s Kaitāia farm has more than 61,000 solar panels.
Billions to be spent on powering up wind and solar
Farmers in the pound seats as building keeps pace with carbon targets.
Trees took toll on powerlines in cyclone: report
‘Out of zone’ trees falling onto lines were the single largest cause of outages.
Solar farm planned for Maniatoto farmland
The farm would support the continued grazing of sheep under and around the solar panels.
Green fund pours $80m into SolarZero
Largest ever investment made by NZ Green Investment Fund.
Sun to help warn of excess rain
Otago Regional Council installs remote solar-powered gauge as it extends flood warning system.
Solar panels light up drystock income
Modelling of lower density installation shows almost a trebling of profits.
Fuel companies quizzed on pump prices
National disparities in prices ‘concerning’, says Commerce Commission.
Lodestone gears up for new solar builds
Energy firm signs for $250m ANZ debt facility with expansion in mind.
Biofuel plant a slash option for Gisborne
But regional challenge will require multi-pronged approach, mayor cautions.
Govt fast-tracks green energy projects
Consent process streamlined for up to 1,566MW of solar and wind projects.
Study takes a closer look at solar panels and pastoral farming
These results could be used to inform the design of future mixed solar and pastoral farms in New Zealand.
Research unpacks effects of pasture-power mix
Solar panels have pluses and minuses for pasture growth.
Central Otago farm makes space for solar energy
Property will host 80,000 panels alongside space tracking station built in 2019.
Solar farms fast-tracked as govt moves closer to consent reform
Two new farms bring to five the number of projects in streamlined process.
High-profile solar farm projects pique farmer interest
At present solar energy comprises only about 1% of New Zealand’s total energy supply, but estimates are this could be comfortably ramped up to nearer 10% over the coming decade.
Rio Tinto farce underlines GHG hypocrisy
The government isn’t worried about emissions from an Australian multinational but verges on the hysterical when it comes to cows, says Alan Emerson.
Huntly wood trial hailed as leap ahead for biofuel
Early promise of possible solution to the forest slash issue.
Flooding knocks out power to 200,000
Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne may face blackout lasting ‘days to weeks’ as Cyclone Gabrielle wreaks havoc across the North Island.
Dairy farms to gain from green solar deal
Partnership holds promise of more solar arrays on farms with no capital outlay from landowners.
Offshore wind farm could power up to 500k homes
The project's plans include a large wind farm off the South Taranaki coast.
Consent granted for large-scale solar farm near Taupō
The plant will eventually generate renewable electricity to power 100,000 homes.
45-hectare solar farm proposed for Palmerston North
The company is currently seeking consent from the Palmerston North City Council.
Fonterra’s UHT plant trials green battery
Electrically conductive polymers battery thought to be world-first.
Light and shade of signing on with solar
Delays, restrictions to be aware of in farm deals touted around country.
Waikato solar farm gets green light
Te Aroha West plant set to generate enough energy to power 30,000 homes.
Powering up the growth curve
A family farm at the forefront of New Zealand’s environmental evolution is harnessing the sun to power its own post-harvest operation washing tonnes of potatoes at its Canterbury site. Annette Scott reports.
Food waste-to-energy plant opening later this year
New Zealand’s first-ever large-scale food waste-to-energy converter is on track to be ready for commissioning in August ahead of its official opening on October 17.
Solar farm projects planned for Waikato
Three large solar farm projects on Waikato farmland could soon see cattle and sheep replaced by thousands of solar panels dotted across the countryside.
Options burning up for heat processors
Biomass is an energy option more South Island processors are considering as they look to replace coal-fired boilers in response to the Government’s plans to have new instals banned at the end of this year and all phased out by 2037.