About 300,000 panels will be installed before the project is completed next year.
By then, the 168MWp (megawatt peak) solar farm will be generating enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of more than 36,000 homes.
The Kōwhai Park solar complex is a joint venture between international solar energy developer and manager Lightsource BP and energy generator and retailer Contact Energy on land leased from the airport company.
Construction costs of $273 million were estimated last year.
Progress is expected to pick up now that panel fitting can be increased on scale.
The solar farm will feed directly into the grid from a site about the same size as 220 rugby fields. Most of the panels are in the airport’s Kōwhai Park with some of them within the outer airport boundary.
Airport spokesman Sean Tully said the leasing arrangement aligned with the airport’s goal to support a renewable-energy precinct and decarbonisation.
“We want to help future decarbonisation meet government targets. It’s part of our DNA to try and support other people in terms of their decarbonisation.
“So, if other companies want to come and work here on the campus, they know they are going to be able to receive an assured source of green energy.”
He said a renewable energy precinct was part of Kōwhai Park, and the airport company was keen to develop other green energy forms in the future.
The airport was already working with Fabrum on a hydrogen generation facility, he said.
The zero-emission transition technology company unveiled in February a hydrogen testing facility at the park to support the development of green hydrogen-powered technology, mainly in aviation.
Mr Tully said the solar farm also fitted within the airport company’s wider model for a 1000ha campus of about 25 businesses, employing about 7000 people.
The solar farm is expected to be among the country’s largest, as solar developments in the construction or blueprint stage ramp up in New Zealand.
Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson said the solar farm was bringing the company’s vision to life, using airport land in new ways to support low-emission options.
Contact Energy chief executive Mike Fuge said the joint venture partnership at Kōwhai Park was making good progress towards a renewable energy future.
Contact Energy is investing $2.3 billion in renewable energy projects over the past four years, including three new geothermal power stations, a grid-scale battery and a solar farm. The company operates 11 power stations, using geothermal, hydro and thermal energy to generate electricity.
Lightsource BP Asia-Pacific chief operating officer Adam Pegg said the first panels were a significant moment for the partners.
“It’s a great example of what can be achieved when industry leaders come together with a shared focus on delivering practical, long-term solutions for decarbonisation.”
Kōwhai Park is the first of several planned solar farms by the Lightsource BP and Contact Energy partnership.
tim.cronshaw@odt.co.nz
