Awakeri

Solar Farm

Overview

Awakeri is a large-scale solar energy project located near the Whakatāne River in the Bay of Plenty. Designed to harness the sun’s abundant energy, the project will generate clean, renewable electricity to power homes, industry, and communities across Aotearoa.

Awakeri represents more than just generation — it reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship, energy resilience, and strong local partnerships. The project aims to deliver shared value and long-term benefits for the Bay of Plenty region and beyond.

77 MW
Peak power

117,000 +
Solar panels

143 GWh
Annual electricity production

19,000 homes
Energy supply equivalent

Location

Awakeri is a proposed 77-megawatt (MW) solar farm located near the Whakatāne River in the Bay of Plenty, an area known for its excellent sunshine and strong community ties.

The project will harness Te Rā (the sun) to deliver clean, renewable electricity and create lasting environmental, economic, and cultural benefits for Aotearoa.

Strong solar resource: 1,543 kWh/m²/year GHI Ideal terrain: Flat land, minimal earthworks, national road access Land classification: Predominantly LUC 7 – low-value for agriculture, high potential for solar Energy Impact:

  • 117,000 panels generating up to 143 GWh/year

  • Enough to power over 19,000 homes across Aotearoa

Awakeri is more than just a solar farm — it represents a commitment to kaitiakitanga, renewable energy, and shared prosperity. Together with mana whenua, local communities, and our partners, we are building an energy legacy for generations to come.

Project Lifecycle

  1. Concept

    Potential sites are mapped and studied, with early engagement to understand landowner interests and opportunities.

  2. Feasibility

    Detailed wind, solar, and environmental assessments confirm whether a site can support a commercially and technically viable project.

  3. Project Development

    Current stage

    Planning approvals, community and iwi engagement, and commercial agreements are advanced to prepare projects for financial close.

  4. Construction

    Turbines, solar panels, and infrastructure are built and connected to the grid, creating jobs and local economic activity.

  5. Operations

    Projects deliver clean electricity to the market while being actively monitored, maintained, and optimised for performance.

  6. Decommissioning

    At project end-of-life, assets are dismantled or repowered, and land is responsibly restored for future use.