A 42-hectare solar farm is set to rise in Clandeboye, Canterbury, with Lodestone Energy confirming its latest development. The company’s first South Island build will add 43 GWh of clean power to the national grid each year. Construction starts in June 2025, and first output is due the following year.
Company Targets Regional Reach with South Island Solar Expansion
“Adding new generation at this pace is a crucial part of our vision to ensure New Zealand has a ‘solar farm in every community’,” said Lodestone Managing Director Gary Holden. “We are committed to ensuring customers in all regions will have access to low-cost, renewable energy.”
Lodestone Selects Canterbury for Strategic Solar Investment
Clandeboye was selected for its excellent solar conditions and strong local electricity demand from irrigation and dairy operations. According to Holden, “Canterbury is the ideal location for solar: there is plenty of sunshine, and it fits well with the electricity demand for irrigation and milk production.”
The project will benefit the South Island’s predominantly hydro-powered energy grid. Solar energy can provide crucial stability to the electricity supply during periods of low rainfall.
Lodestone Integrates Farming and Solar Operations
Lodestone’s partnership with Clearwater Farm supports the solar farm to operate smoothly on leased land while maintaining agricultural use. The company will implement dual land use by continuing sheep grazing for vegetation management, ensuring that the land remains productive.
A native planting buffer will be added around the perimeter of the site to enhance visual aesthetics and support local biodiversity.
Lodestone Partners with Ethical Power for Project Delivery
Lodestone is working with Ethical Power to deliver the Clandeboye project. Ethical Power is a renewable energy engineering, procurement, and construction firm with international experience and established operations in New Zealand.
“We are proud to partner with a company that is making great progress in the renewable energy sector and is aligned on the potential value solar can deliver to New Zealand,” said Matt Rowe, Managing Director of Ethical Power New Zealand. “Our international construction experience alongside Lodestone’s local market experience makes for a strong partnership.”
Lodestone Builds Momentum with Capital and Pipeline Growth
The Clandeboye solar farm follows a $50 million capital raise completed by Lodestone, alongside increased banking facilities supported by Westpac. The company has already received consent for four other sites and has five additional projects in planning or consenting stages.
Holden emphasised the urgency of increasing solar generation capacity: “Electrification of industrial boilers and the growing interest in electric cars will mean new generation will be needed for many years to come. Customers seeking a low-cost hedge against rising power prices is a compelling reason to build as quickly as we can.”
A new solar project in Clandeboye, Canterbury will supply locally generated power through the Alpine Energy network as Lodestone Energy launches its first South Island initiative. The development forms part of a national effort to reduce electricity price volatility and expand regional access to clean energy.