New Zealand’s largest solar farm is now fully running near Christchurch.
The Lauriston Solar Farm, built by energy company Genesis and its partner FRV Australia, can produce enough electricity to power thousands of homes.
The solar farm is located on the Canterbury Plains, about 60 kilometres southwest of Christchurch. It covers 93 hectares and includes over 90,000 solar panels. These panels can generate around 100 gigawatt-hours of clean energy each year. The project cost about $104 million and became fully operational in late 2024.
Genesis, one of the country’s main energy companies, has agreed to buy all of the solar farm’s electricity for the next 10 years. This move helps Genesis work toward its goal of making 95% of its electricity from renewable sources by the year 2035.
Malcolm Johns, CEO of Genesis, said that using solar power is important for New Zealand to reach its goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. “Solar has a clear role to play,” he said.
The Lauriston Solar Farm is the first of several solar projects planned by Genesis and FRV Australia. Other projects are being prepared near Leeston and Foxton, and more are planned on the North Island. Genesis is also working on a separate solar farm near Edgecumbe, expected to be ready by 2027.
Lauriston now holds the title of New Zealand’s biggest solar farm, just ahead of the Te Herenga o Te Rā farm that opened earlier in 2025. Even larger solar farms, like the Tauhei and Te Rahui projects, are now being planned and could soon take the lead.
