Reporoa

Solar Farm & Battery Energy Storage System

Overview

50 MWh
Battery energy storage capacity with 2.2 hours duration

9,100 homes
Annual energy supply equivalent

35 MWdc
Peak Power

58,000 panels
Powering the project

Reporoa Solar Farm & Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is a clean energy project proposed in Reporoa, Bay of Plenty.

Tumunui Lands Trust named the site ‘Tumunui-o-te-rā Reporoa Solar’ to acknowledge the important role this site serves as a key foundation that will anchor Te Kupenga a Māui (Māui’s Net) to harness the fullness of the sun’s energy to generate clean, renewable electricity that will power local homes, industries, and communities.

Reporoa solar farm reflects Kākāriki Renewables’ commitment to environmental stewardship (kaitiakitanga), energy resilience, innovation and strong local partnerships to deliver shared value and long-term benefits for the Bay of Plenty region and future generations.

Reporoa Solar Farm & BESS is a planned 35-megawatt solar farm and battery project on a 73-hectare block at Reporoa, 37kms south of Rotorua.

Strong solar resource: 1,712.6 kWh/m²/year GHI
Ideal terrain: Flat land, minimal earthworks, national road access
Land classification: Predominantly LUC 3 & 4 – arable with significant to moderate limitations to crop type, though suitable for certain tree crops and forestry

Energy Impact:
• 58,000 panels generating up to 65 GWh/year
• Enough to power over 9,100 homes across Aotearoa
• Battery system designed to support grid stability and firm supply for local industries

Tumunui-o-te-rā is more than a solar project - it's a commitment to kaitiakitanga and shared prosperity for future generations. We look forward to sharing this journey with the Tumunui Lands Trust, and all our partners alongside us.

Location

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.