- Hon Chris Bishop
- Hon Simeon Brown
- Hon Shane Jones
A solar farm near Foxton is the 32nd project and eighth renewable energy project to be granted Fast-track approval.
Genesis Energy lodged its application in February 2026, with approval taking around three and a half months since the appointment of an independent expert panel.
"The 220 MWp solar farm will generate approximately 345 GWh of renewable electricity annually, enough to power approximately 47,000 homes," says Mr Bishop.
"Reliable renewable electricity generation is critical to supporting economic growth and regional resilience.
"New renewable energy projects approved through Fast-track will add more than 990 megawatts of new generation capacity. That's more than five per cent of New Zealand's current generation capacity and enough to power approximately 322,000 households annually.
"Foxton Solar Farm will be built on land currently used for livestock and dairy farming, it will also improve water quality in the area by stopping the leaching of the equivalent of around 25,700 kg of nitrogen per annum."
""The project will provide around 100 jobs during construction and contribute directly and indirectly to the local economy," Mr Jones says.
"The project represents a major investment in the region and will help drive regional economic growth while advancing New Zealand's transition to a more reliable and sustainable energy future."
Mr Brown says the Government's goal is abundant, affordable and reliable power for all New Zealanders.
"Demand for electricity is expected to increase significantly as New Zealanders increasingly go electric in everything from their bikes to their businesses.
"This project will contribute to the Government's goal of doubling renewable energy generation by 2050. Renewables were a record 96.5 per cent of electricity generation in the last three months of last year and more generation is required for a resilient and reliable electricity supply to underpin economic growth.
"Fast-tracking the consenting process to encourage investment in new energy generation is a key part of achieving that 2050 goal."
Notes to editor
More information about the project: Foxton Solar Farm
Fast-track by the numbers:
- 32 projects approved by expert panels.
- 16 projects with expert panels appointed.
- 59 projects are currently progressing through the Fast-track process. 28 active substantive and 31 referral applications.
- 65 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure
- 149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval.
- On average, it has taken 118 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.
Fast-track projects approved by expert panels:
- Arataki [Housing/Land]
- Ashbourne [Housing/Land]
- Ayrburn Screen Hub [Infrastructure]
- Green Steel [Infrastructure]
- Homestead Bay [Housing/Land]
- Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
- Delmore [Housing/Land]
- Drury Metropolitan Centre - Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land]
- Drury Quarry Expansion - Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying]
- Haldon Solar [Renewable energy]
- Hananui Aquaculture [Aquaculture]
- Kings Quarry Expansion - Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying]
- Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme [Renewable energy]
- Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works [Renewable energy]
- Māhinerangi Wind Farm [Renewable energy]
- Maitahi Village [Housing/Land]
- Milldale - Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing/Land]
- The Point Mission Bay [Housing/Land]
- Pound Road [Housing/Land]
- Rangitoopuni [Housing/Land]
- Ryans Road [Housing/Land]
- Southland Wind Farm Project [Renewable energy]
- State Highway 1 North Canterbury - Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus) [Infrastructure]
- Sunfield [Housing/Land]
- Tekapo Power Scheme - Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy]
- Takitimu North Link - Stage 2 [Infrastructure]
- Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying]
- Waitaha Hydro [Renewable energy]
- Waitākere District Court - New Courthouse Project [Infrastructure]
- Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal [Infrastructure]
Expert panels have been appointed for:
- 188 Beaumont Street
- Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills
- Auckland Prison Capacity Increase
- Barrytown Minerals Project
- Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project
- Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project
- Central and Southern Block Mining Project
- Downtown Carpark Site Development
- Hunua Quarry Development
- Mt Iron Junction
- Mt Welcome, Pukerua Bay, Porirua
- Northwest Rapid Transit
- Southern Link Inland Port
- Stella Passage Development
- The Point Solar Farm
- Waikanae North Development
