Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga Solar Farm
Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga
Whitianga, Coromandel
Situated in the sunny Coromandel, Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga is the fourth utility-scale solar generation project Lodestone has delivered for Aotearoa.
The 33 megawatt peak farm, will generate approximately 49 GWh of certified renewable energy annually, enough to power over 6,800 homes a year.
Following a 12 month construction program beginning in late 2024, the farm achieved first generation in November 2025.
The site for this project was chosen for the region’s high sunshine hours, its proximity to local electricity demand, and its connection to a nearby distribution network. Previously a dairy farm, the low-lying land adjacent to the Whangamaroro River suffered from surface flooding and boggy conditions. Lodestone’s agrivoltaic solar design sets panels widely apart and two metres above the ground allowing machinery to operate and sheep to graze comfortably around the panels.
Lodestone’s project team and construction partners worked alongside community stakeholders, including the local iwi, Ngāti Hei ki Wharekaho.
Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga was bestowed its name by Ngāti Hei, during the site’s ground-breaking blessing. Pāmu, meaning farm, Rā, meaning sun, which translates to Solar Farm of/to Whitianga.
Key facts about Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga
First power achieved in Nov 25
Producing
49 GWh energy annually
Operating 53,400+ panels
Capable of powering 6,800+ homes
Ngāti Hei kamātua, Joe Davis, blesses the site with a karakia prior to the start of construction
Coromandel MP Hon Scott Simpson speaks of the value this solar farm will deliver for the region
A technician works on the combiner box during the solar farm's construction phase
The completed farm powers up, delivering Coromandel a local source of renewable energy
Investing in the future
To get involved in clean renewable energy