What:       Installation of a 15ha Solar Farm
Where: East of Ward Township
Stage: In Planning and development

Energy Marlborough Limited (EML), has secured agreements with landowners for a 15ha solar farm near the Ward township. Consultation with the local community was undertaken in 2022 and will continue throughout the project as plans are further developed. A resource consent application for the project was publicly notified in early 2023. Consenting, studies, and tendering of the project are all underway as EML works towards a final investment decision on this project.

Locating solar farms near existing electricity infrastructure improves economics and reduces costs. This site is located adjacent to Marlborough Lines Ward substation, and the sites are relatively flat and enjoy Marlborough’s famous high sun hours.

This project continues to build on the foundation provided by our Taylor Pass site, and to generate electricity at a considerable scale in the Marlborough region. The site is expected to connect to the electricity network with 10MW of capacity, generating 16GWh annually, equating to 4% of the region’s current annual energy demand. This reduces energy transmitted to Marlborough from South Canterbury and losses incurred during the transportation.