Following the success of Lodestone Energy’s Kaitaia-based Kohirā Solar Farm - New Zealand’s first utility-scale solar project - Infratec engaged Edison again to support the delivery of Lodestone’s next solar venture, the Rangitaiki Solar Farm. Located at Edgecumbe in the Bay of Plenty, this 32 MW solar farm capitalises on high sunshine hours and reliable transmission connectivity. By leveraging key learnings from the Kohirā solar farm's commissioning, Edison capitalised on the experience gained and significantly reduced the commissioning timeframes for the next project.
The Rangitaiki Solar Farm at Edgecombe presented the challenge of integrating a large-scale solar generation asset into the existing Horizon network via Transpower’s Edgecumbe substation. This involved managing AC and DC electrical works, ensuring compliance with the Electricity Industry Participation Code, and coordinating multiple stakeholders, including Transpower System Operator (SO) and Horizon Networks. While the project task was familiar, it benefited significantly from the learnings gained in Kaitaia, halving the commissioning process time.
Solution
Engaged by Infratec to provide site representative and commissioning engineering support, Edison built on the success of the Kohirā Solar Farm. By applying valuable insights to streamline the commissioning of Rangitaiki, the project benefited from knowledge transfer:
- Documentation and Quality Assurance: The processes developed during Kaitaia, including the Solar Synchronising Commissioning Plan, became the foundation for Rangitaiki. Edison refined and enhanced documentation to ensure a faster approval process while maintaining the highest safety and compliance standards.
- Stakeholder Coordination: Edison's experience managing stakeholders in the Kohirā project enhanced communication and collaboration between Transpower, Horizon Networks, and other project partners. This resulted in smoother interactions and timely decision-making during commissioning.
- Efficient Problem Solving: At Rangitaiki, our team effectively mitigated real-time challenges with innovative solutions and on-site resources.
- Continuous Learning: By integrating the lessons learned from Kohirā, Edison ensured that the Rangitaiki commissioning process was efficient and thorough, delivering a high-quality outcome.
Key Benefits
The Rangitaiki Solar Farm, located in Edgecumbe is New Zealand’s second largest solar farm, and was successfully commissioned in May 2024.
- Significant Reduction in Commissioning Timeframes: By applying the lessons from Kohirā, Edison facilitated a smooth, fast commissioning process in half the time without compromising safety or quality.
- Safety and Compliance: The rigorous quality assurance and documentation processes ensured that the Rangitaiki project met all regulatory standards while setting new benchmarks for solar farm commissioning in New Zealand.
- Growth in NZ’s renewable landscape: This new utility-scale solar farm generates enough electricity to power 7,500 Kiwi homes annually. At the same time, the agrivoltaic design allows machinery to operate and livestock to graze around the solar arrays, meaning agriculture can continue alongside power generation*.
*Source: Lodestone Energy Ltd.
Images reproduced with permission from Lodestone Energy Ltd
