Lake Waikare
Floating Solar Farm with Battery Energy Storage System
Overview
Lake Waikare Floating Solar is a proposed 170-megawatt (MW) solar energy project to be constructed on the waters of Lake Waikare, 8 km southeast of Te Kauwhata. Floating on the lake’s surface, the project will harness Te Rā (the sun) to generate clean, renewable electricity while co-existing with the natural environment.
Developed in partnership with Waikato-Tainui, Te Riu o Waikato, Māori lake bed owners, and local communities, the project will be guided by the principles of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and whanaungatanga (relationships). Engagement will also extend to the Waikato District Council, Waikato Regional Council, and neighbouring landowners to ensure outcomes that respect the mauri (life force) of the lake and its surrounding lands.
170 MW
Peak Power
300 MW
Battery Energy Storage System
258,000 Floating Solar Panels
Powering the project
41,000 homes
Energy supply equivalent
Lake Waikare Floating Solar is a proposed 170-megawatt (MW) floating solar farm located 8 km southeast of Te Kauwhata.
The project will generate clean, renewable electricity on the surface of Lake Waikare, a waterbody with limited ecological diversity due to heavy nutrient run-off and pest species. The floating design minimises land disturbance and supports potential environmental co-benefits.
Strong solar resource: 1,415 kWh/m²/year GHI
Unique location: Floating on a supereutrophic lake with restricted recreational use
Environmental design: Minimal disturbance to existing flora and fauna
Energy Impact:
• 258,000 floating solar panels generating up to 298 GWh/year
• Enough to power more than 41,000 homes across Aotearoa
Lake Waikare Floating Solar is more than an energy project — it is a partnership-based commitment to kaitiakitanga and the regeneration of place. Together with mana whenua, local communities, and project partners, we are working to deliver clean energy and shared benefits for the people of Aotearoa.
Location
