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A solar power farm planned for the district will provide enough power for 1000 homes, boost the health of the Waikanae Stream and bring jobs (and sheep) to the region.
Those are just some of the benefits, according to a resource consent application lodged by Eastland Generation, part of Gisborne infrastructure group Eastland Group.
The application says the proposal aims to build a 5.2 MWp (megawatt peak) Solar Farm, associated battery energy storage system and ancillary equipment in the north eastern portion of Gisborne Airport. It will enhance the water quality of the Waikanae Stream through stock exclusion and riparian planting.
Eastland Group announced the plans late last year.
The resource consent application gives more details of the project, which provides for a significant electricity generation activity that will generate enough energy to meet the annual electricity requirements of about 1000 typical households in Gisborne.
An ecological assessment compiled by environmental consultants 4Sight Consulting said the solar farm would be contained within a fenced area of 6.3 hectares, with land remaining in pasture between the rows of the solar arrays and underneath each of the solar arrays. The area will be grazed by sheep.
“Riparian planting on the northern bank of the Waikanae Stream is also included as part of the project and has been incorporated through consultation with the Gisborne Airport and local hapū Ngāi Tāwhiri,” the application states.
“Along with the stock-proof fencing of the stream, the riparian planting is intended to help improve water quality by reducing stock access and stream bank erosion. The riparian planting will also connect to existing riparian planting further south on the Waikanae Stream.”
The solar farm will consist of about 8000 solar panels mounted in rows to form arrays.
A central operational hub will include an inverter, a container for a battery energy storage system and a site office.
The solar panels have an effective lifespan of about 30 years, with individual components (copper, glass, steel) fully recyclable.
At the end of their life, the support structures can either be removed, returning the land to pasture, or new panels can be affixed to the existing structure.
“In addition, the applicant intends to undertake riparian planting along the northern bank of the northern branch of the Waikanae Stream. This planting will be 5m wide and will consist of a mixture of native species.
“The stream will also be fenced on both sides for the purposes of excluding stock. A 2m high deer fence is proposed to be constructed around the solar farm...adjacent to the solar arrays, with high voltage signage around the perimeter.
“A two-wire electric fence will be constructed 3m back from the northern branch of the Waikanae Stream (on the western side) to prevent livestock from entering the waterway.”
Fencing will also be installed on the north-eastern side of the riparian planting and extended around the remainder of the Waikanae Stream.
A seven-wire boundary fence will be constructed along parts of the project area boundary.
Engineering, procurement and construction works, which will include final engineering design, procurement, shipping and construction works, are anticipated to begin in 2022 and take about 10 months. Physical construction will take a further three-to-four months
“The project will generate positive effects in the form of increased regional energy capacity and resilience to meet expected growth in the demand for electricity,” the application states.
“Electricity demand is expected to grow as we decarbonise and the generation of some of this energy locally is a main priority.
“The proposed project will generate positive effects through building regional knowledge and capability. It will also provide an opportunity to build regional knowledge capabilities associated with the provision of solar farm infrastructure and technology.
“As these capabilities are built, they can be applied regionally and locally to any future developments in solar energy infrastructure.”
Further positive effects will come in the form of economic development.
“This would include approximately 40FTE (full-time equivalents) during the period of construction, along with additional contractor and professional consultants. In addition, some operational employment will occur as a result of the project.
“In addition to direct job creation, the development of the project is a first step in unlocking potentially greater opportunities relevant to renewable electricity generation in the region.”
The application is not publicly notified and has the support of Gisborne Airport Limited and local hapū.