Nova Energy Pauses Twizel Solar Project Amid Environmental Queries
The 300-megawatt development in Otago has been suspended to answer expert panel questions on ecological impacts.
By Sarah Montgomery ·
New Zealand's fast-track infrastructure system has seen a second major pause in the Mackenzie District this year as developers address environmental scrutiny. Nova Energy Limited has voluntarily suspended its fast-track application for a new solar farm near Twizel.
The company filed the application in June for The Twizel Solar Project, a 300-megawatt facility located east of Twizel. The plan covers 500 hectares of an 868-hectare site. Upon completion, the farm would generate enough electricity to supply 75,000 homes annually. On October 2, Nova Energy requested the suspension under the fast-track Approvals Act.
A Nova Energy spokesperson stated that the pause was necessary to allow sufficient time to respond thoroughly to further questions from the expert panel. These inquiries focused on ecological effects and proposed measures to protect important animal and plant species. The company said it was taking the panel's questions seriously and recognized the environmental value of the area. "Nova remains committed to working constructively through the approval process," the spokesperson said.
Mary Murdoch, a spokesperson for a local community group dedicated to educating residents on fast-track developments, expressed satisfaction with the process. She noted that the community had been "very pleased" by the applicant's involvement. "Nova made the effort to come and genuinely consult with the community. We feel we have been listened to," Murdoch said.
This suspension follows a similar action in August by Far North Solar Farm Limited. That company paused its fast-track application for The Point Solar, planned for the northern shore of Lake Benmore, citing concerns raised by the expert panel that required "expert input and research." At that time, Murdoch criticized the company for "gaming" the system, a claim Far North Solar Farm denied.
Murdoch also noted that issues with fast-track developments extend beyond the immediate process. She argued that when combined with the government's new Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill, future developments would lose meaningful community consultation. The suspension of The Twizel Solar Project remains in effect while Nova Energy prepares its responses to the expert panel.
The fast-track system is designed to accelerate the approval of major infrastructure projects. In this case, the pause allows the developer to gather data and refine its environmental mitigation strategies before the application moves to the next stage of review.
