Meridian Energy (New Zealand electricity generator and retailer) has received resource consent to build a 120MW solar farm at Bunnythorpe, north of Palmerston North, marking the company's second energy park development and expanding its renewable energy footprint in the Manawatū region.

Project Scale and Energy Output

The Bunnythorpe Solar Farm will feature approximately 250,000 solar panels across a 280-hectare site located between Ashhurst and Stoney Creek Roads, adjacent to Transpower's Bunnythorpe substation.

The facility is expected to produce around 225GWh of electricity per year, a volume the company says is sufficient to power approximately 30,000 average New Zealand homes.

The solar farm will sit alongside an already consented battery energy storage system at the same location, with the combined development to be known as the Bunnythorpe Energy Park.

The inclusion of the BESS alongside the solar generation capacity reflects a broader industry move toward pairing intermittent renewable generation with on-site storage.

Part of a USD 3 Billion Investment Program

Meridian has positioned the Bunnythorpe Energy Park as one component of a USD 3 billion investment program the company is undertaking through to 2030. The programme is aimed at building new renewable energy capacity across New Zealand, with the company stating the goal is to boost national energy supply and contribute to making electricity more affordable.

Guy Waipara, Meridian's General Manager Development, said the consent represented an opportunity to deepen the company's presence in a region where it has operated for more than two decades.

"We're thrilled to receive this approval and have the opportunity to expand our presence in Manawatū. Meridian has been part of this amazing community for more than 20 years through our Te Āpiti and Te Rere Hau wind farms. Solar energy is playing an increasingly important role in New Zealand's electricity generation, and we're excited to bring this to Manawatū," Waipara said.

Bunnythorpe Follows Ruakākā Template

Bunnythorpe will be Meridian's second energy park, following the Ruakākā Energy Park near Whangārei in Northland. The Ruakākā project has already seen its BESS component completed in 2025, and a 130MW solar farm at that site is currently under construction, with first power generation expected in late 2026.

The sequencing of the two energy park developments places Ruakākā ahead of Bunnythorpe, with the latter still subject to a final investment decision by the Meridian Board. That decision is expected in the fourth quarter of 2027.

Before Bunnythorpe reaches that milestone, Meridian anticipates making final investment decisions on two other projects: the Mt Munro Wind Farm, expected in late 2026, and the Te Rere Hau Wind Farm redevelopment, expected in early 2027.

Economic Impact for Palmerston North and Manawatū

Meridian has forecast that the construction phase of the Bunnythorpe Energy Park will generate more than 100 local construction jobs and up to $50 million in local expenditure throughout the build. The company described the project as contributing to what it called the vibrant and growing economy of Palmerston North and the wider Manawatū region.

The site's proximity to Transpower's existing Bunnythorpe substation is a logistical advantage for grid connection. The 280-hectare footprint positions the project as a significant land use commitment in the area north of Palmerston North.

Meridian's Existing Manawatū Presence

Meridian's history in the Manawatū region stretches back more than 20 years, primarily through its wind energy operations. The company's Te Āpiti and Te Rere Hau wind farms have been established features of the regional energy landscape, and the addition of a solar and storage facility represents a diversification of the company's generation technology in the area.

The Te Rere Hau Wind Farm is itself the subject of a separate upcoming investment decision, expected in early 2027, indicating Meridian is planning a continued and expanded multi-technology presence in Manawatū rather than a transition away from existing assets.

Consent Milestone but Board Decision Pending

While the receipt of resource consent is a significant regulatory milestone for the Bunnythorpe project, Meridian has been clear that construction cannot proceed until the Meridian Board makes a final investment decision, currently anticipated for the fourth quarter of 2027.

The consent approval removes a key regulatory hurdle but the project remains subject to that corporate governance step before development work can begin. The Bunnythorpe Energy Park consent adds to a pipeline of projects Meridian is progressing as part of its stated strategy to expand renewable generation capacity in New Zealand ahead of 2030.

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