Meridian Wins Consent for $3b Bunnythorpe Solar and Storage Expansion

Meridian Energy Limited ( (NZ:MEL) ) just unveiled an announcement.

Meridian Energy has secured consent to build a 120MW solar farm alongside an approved battery energy storage system at Bunnythorpe, north of Palmerston North, creating its second integrated energy park in New Zealand. The Bunnythorpe Solar Farm, comprising about 250,000 panels and expected to generate roughly 225GWh annually, will supply power equivalent to around 30,000 homes and sits within Meridian’s $3 billion programme to expand renewable capacity through 2030.

The project is expected to inject more than 100 construction jobs and up to $50 million of local spending into the Manawatū and Palmerston North economy as it is built on a 280ha site adjacent to Transpower’s Bunnythorpe substation. Bunnythorpe will follow the Ruakākā Energy Park development and remains subject to a final investment decision by Meridian’s board, scheduled for late 2027, alongside other planned wind farm investments at Mt Munro and Te Rere Hau.

More about Meridian Energy Limited

Meridian Energy Limited is a New Zealand-based renewable electricity generator and retailer, listed on the NZX and ASX. The company develops and operates wind, solar and battery energy storage projects, with a focus on expanding low-emissions generation capacity to support the country’s electricity supply and affordability.

Average Trading Volume: 1,446,560

Technical Sentiment Signal: Strong Buy

Current Market Cap: N$15.36B

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