While there has been some strong opposition to the Helios proposed solar farm in the Maniototo, an environmental group from Wanaka has made a submission in support.

The Upper Clutha Environmental Society, led by Julian Haworth, has often lobbied against development in the area, however was one of 35 out of 171 submissions advocating the project to go ahead.

The society believed the visual effects of solar power were significantly less than those associated with wind power, especially large-scale wind turbines. 

It also strongly supported the provision of the battery energy storage system as part of the solar farm. 

“The society is aware that many similar large-scale solar/battery storage developments have been successfully built in places such as Australia, California and Texas, among others.”

Both the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Otago Regional Council (ORC) remained neutral in their submissions, with both outlining several concerns they wanted addressed if consent was granted.

The regional council was supportive of renewable energy projects that would bolster the resilience of its communities and assist with New Zealand’s response to challenges and obligations with respect to climate change. 

But it had also been made aware of community concern with the current proposal around the risk to the environment from the potential of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) being compromised, most likely through fire, and any resulting discharge of

contaminants to the environment, particularly the groundwater resource. 

The ORC considered that for a large commercial operation - and one which was a new land use activity for the region - the application needed to provide greater clarity on its assessment of risk to the groundwater resource from any potential compromising of the BESS. 

DoC was interested in the ecological effects of the proposal, including adverse effects on Australasian Bittern / Matuku-hūrepo ( Botaurus poiciloptilus) - which were present in the Maniototo basin.

Australasian bitterns were classed as ‘nationally critical,’ the same threat classification as kākāpō, indicating they were heading towards imminent extinction unless conservation management activities were successful. 

DoC was concerned about the risk of bird strike, displacement and deterrence, with solar arrays.

“As photovoltaic energy projects grow in New Zealand, gaining more comprehensive monitoring, data on ecological effects will be critical for an understanding of their effects, particularly on New Zealand avian species,” the submission said.

A resource consent hearing will be held in due course and updates posted on the Central Otago District Council website.

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