$300m plan for five solar energy farms, providing 1pc of country’s supply

Lodestone Energy has unveiled plans to build five solar energy farms in the upper North Island at a cost of $300 million, which will together be capable of providing about 1 per cent of the country’s electricity supply, Stuff reports. The company was able to secure sites near Dargaville, Kaitaia, Whakatane, Edgecumbe and Whitianga for the solar farms which it describes as “a massive turning point for the country’s energy production.” Construction is set to begin later in the year and is expected to be finished by the summer of 2022.