Genesis Energy, FRV plan to set up 52 MW agrivoltaic solar project on South Island

Genesis Energy and FRV Australia have acquired a 52 MW agrivoltaic solar project on the South Island of New Zealand. The asset is expected to be completed in 2024 and it will be the first utility-scale solar farm in the country.

Purchased from Hive Energy, the 90-ha solar farm already has advanced grid-connection clearances. Panel installation can begin in 2023 and the site will consist of roughly 80,000 solar panels, anticipated to generate approximately 80 GWh annually. After the project's completion in 2024, sheep grazing will be reintroduced to the site.

The joint venture was announced in 2021, with Genesis Energy controlling 60% of the project and FRV Australia the remaining 40%. Over the next five years, they intend to provide 500 MW of solar capacity to New Zealand.