Foxton Solar Farm

Challenge

Genesis Energy sought to expand its renewable energy portfolio by developing more than 500 MW of solar generation capacity. Delivering a programme of this scale required identifying suitable sites, securing the necessary land rights, progressing the project through internal approvals, and navigating a complex consenting environment, including a newly introduced fast-track pathway.

The project also required a broad range of technical and environmental assessments to inform design, manage potential risks, and underpin a robust statutory application. Success depended on a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to determine the most appropriate consenting strategy and efficiently address the project's environmental, technical, and regulatory requirements.

Solution

SLR supported Genesis Energy from the earliest stages of project development. The Property Services team identified the site opportunity, undertook initial due diligence, and secured the investigative, occupation and development rights required to progress the project at the scale needed to meet Genesis Energy's objectives.

SLR also helped shape the project's consenting strategy, identifying the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 as the most appropriate consenting pathway. SLR's Planning team subsequently assisted in securing the project's inclusion on Schedule 2 of the Act, enabling an accelerated approval process.

Building on this foundation, SLR managed the consenting process, providing strategic planning advice, risk assessments, and constraints and opportunities mapping to inform project design. SLR also coordinated a multidisciplinary team of specialists and subconsultants to deliver the investigations and technical assessments required to support the application.

SLR's technical teams completed studies covering ecology, landscape, land contamination, acoustics, glint and glare, traffic, flood risk, hazardous substances, and emergency management. These assessments identified key environmental constraints, informed mitigation measures, and evaluated potential project effects. External subconsultants undertook archaeology and selected specialist investigations such as drone surveys and traffic surveys. SLR also developed a comprehensive mitigation and restoration planting plan and schedule.

SLR planners prepared the substantive Fast-track application, including the Assessment of Environmental Effects supported by the full suite of technical reporting. The team subsequently supported the client through finalisation of the consent conditions.

Impact

The Genesis Foxton Solar Farm is SLR’s largest solar project to date, consented in New Zealand and showcases the value of an integrated, multidisciplinary approach that spans the full project lifecycle, from identifying the opportunity through to consent readiness. It brings together expertise from across the business to deliver a coordinated outcome aligned with the client's strategic renewable energy objectives.

The project highlights SLR's ability to support clients through every stage of development, from programme inception and land acquisition through to consenting and regulatory approvals. Achieving Fast-track approval with appropriate conditions represents a significant milestone for both Genesis Energy and SLR. Once operational, the proposed 220 MW solar farm is expected to generate approximately 345 GWh of renewable electricity each year, enough to power around 47,000 homes and make a meaningful contribution to New Zealand's renewable energy future.

“I would like to thank you Tim, Nicky, Brad, and the wider SLR team for all of your hard work throughout the project. Your responsiveness and willingness to turn things around quickly whenever needed made a real difference, and it's been great to work through such a significant consenting process so smoothly. We appreciate the effort and professionalism from everyone involved.”

Jack Baird, Genesis Commercial Development Manager