Meridian Energy Secures Consent for 120MW Bunnythorpe Solar Farm

Meridian Energy has received consent to construct a 120MW solar farm at Bunnythorpe, located north of Palmerston North. The project is designed to produce approximately 225GWh of electricity annually, which the company states is sufficient to power roughly 30,000 average homes.

The Bunnythorpe Solar Farm will be developed alongside a battery energy storage system (BESS) that has already received consent. This integration of solar generation and energy storage is part of a broader $3 billion investment Meridian is committing through 2030 to expand renewable energy capacity, intended to increase the national energy supply and reduce electricity costs.

The development is situated on a 280-hectare site between Ashhurst and Stoney Creek Roads, positioned adjacent to the Transpower Bunnythorpe substation. The facility will feature approximately 250,000 solar panels.

Guy Waipara, Meridian GM Development, stated on May 15, 2026, that the company is thrilled to receive this approval and have the opportunity to expand our presence in Manawatū. He noted that solar energy is playing an increasingly important role in New Zealand’s electricity generation and expressed the company’s enthusiasm for bringing the technology to the region.

Meridian has maintained a presence in the Manawatū region for more than 20 years through the operation of the Te Rere Hau and Te Āpiti wind farms. The Bunnythorpe project is expected to provide a direct economic boost to the Palmerston North and Manawatū economies.

Forecasts for the project indicate the creation of more than 100 local construction jobs. The company expects up to $50 million in local spending throughout the construction phase.

The Bunnythorpe site will be the second energy park developed by Meridian. It follows the Ruakākā Energy Park near Whangārei, where the BESS component was completed in 2025. A 130MW solar farm is currently under construction at the Ruakākā site, with first power expected in late 2026.

While consent has been secured, the project remains subject to a final investment decision by the Meridian Board. This decision is expected to be reached in the fourth quarter of 2027.

The Bunnythorpe timeline follows a sequence of other planned renewable energy decisions. Meridian expects to reach final investment decisions for the Te Rere Hau Wind Farm in early 2027 and the Mt Munro Wind Farm in late 2026.

The strategic shift toward diversifying energy sources is highlighted by the concurrent development of wind and solar assets. By combining these with BESS technology, the company aims to stabilize the energy supply across different weather conditions and demand cycles.

The proximity of the Bunnythorpe site to the existing Transpower substation is a key technical component of the project, facilitating the integration of the 120MW capacity into the national grid with reduced infrastructure overhead.

The $3 billion investment framework through 2030 underscores a corporate strategy to scale renewable output rapidly to meet evolving energy demands and affordability goals in New Zealand.