New Zealand’s largest solar farm has officially opened on the Canterbury Plains, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on site at Lauriston.
The $104 million Lauriston Solar Farm, a joint project between Genesis and FRV Australia, features more than 90,000 solar panels across 93 hectares. It is now generating up to 100 GWh of electricity a year — enough to power nearly 13,000 households.
Located about an hour’s drive from Christchurch, the 63 MW solar farm is the first developed by Genesis as part of its plan to build up to 500 MW of solar energy capacity across New Zealand.
Genesis Chief Executive Malcolm Johns said the opening marked a major milestone for the company’s long-term renewable strategy, Gen35.
“For New Zealand to reach net zero 2050, the country’s energy must become 60% electric, 95% renewable, and available 100% of the time,” Johns said. “Solar has a clear role to play in this transition and we’re committed to expanding this area of our business.”
Malcolm Johns joined Genesis in 2023 from his previous role as Chief Executive of Christchurch Airport.
The opening was attended by Minister for the South Island and Rangitata MP James Meager, iwi representatives, Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown, EA Networks chief executive Onno Mulder, and representatives from Genesis, FRV Australia, and construction partner Beon Energy Solutions.
FRV Australia Chief Executive Carlo Frigerio said the Lauriston project demonstrated the potential for renewable energy to deliver benefits both to local communities and to the country’s wider sustainability goals.
Minister James Meager said the solar farm’s completion meant thousands of additional households — roughly equivalent to the size of Ashburton — were now powered by renewable energy.
“This project shows the opportunities for further solar generation in Canterbury and the South Island. It’s also an example of the type of joint ventures we want to see more of, having not required financial assistance from the Government,” Meager said.
About 100 people were employed during construction, and the site will continue to employ three staff now it is operational, with additional work supported through local contractors and service providers.
General Manager of Beon Energy Solutions Kieren Lewis said the project was a major achievement for the team and the local economy.
“We are proud to contribute to New Zealand’s clean energy future while supporting meaningful economic and social benefits for local communities, businesses, and workers,” Lewis said.
In addition to the solar farm, Genesis and FRV Australia have entered into a sponsorship agreement with nearby Lauriston School, committing funding over the next five years to support education in STEMM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and mātauranga Māori).
Lauriston School Board of Trustees Chair Craig Wiggins said the partnership was about more than money.
“It’s a commitment to educational excellence and to the future of our tamariki. Genesis and FRV have set a high benchmark for innovation and enterprise — values that resonate strongly within our school community,” he said.
Genesis said lessons learned from building the Lauriston Solar Farm were already being applied to future projects, with a solar development at Leeston expected to be approved in late 2026 and generating by 2027.
“We’re excited to apply what we’ve learned from the Lauriston project to Leeston, increasing our contribution to New Zealand’s renewable generation,” Johns said.
