Ongaonga Solar Farm Project
Delivering local generation and energy resilience for Central Hawke’s Bay
Centralines is proud to be investing in the future of Central Hawke’s Bay with the development of a 35-hectare solar farm in Ongaonga. The solar farm will generate approximately 52 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually, providing the equivalent of 9,000 electricity connections with clean, locally generated power every year.
The project has received $8 million in funding from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) and will be delivered in partnership with a joint venture (JV) partner, to be announced soon.
Construction is planned to begin in December 2025, with the build expected to take approximately 12 months. Once complete, the solar farm will:
- Improve local energy resilience and reduce reliance on a single grid exit point
- Support more competitive electricity pricing for households and businesses
- Create up to 80 local jobs during construction, including around 30 high-skilled roles
- Contribute to the Government’s goal of doubling renewable energy generation by 2035
This is more than just a solar farm—it's a strategic investment in Central Hawke’s Bay’s energy future.
Project FAQs
The Centralines network currently relies on a single grid exit point to supply the entire district. Local generation will increase energy resilience and reduce our reliance on remote sources, particularly during extreme weather or network events.
The project is funded through a combination of equity investment, bank lending, and an $8 million concessionary loan from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF). Centralines is contributing the majority of the equity alongside a joint venture partner, which will be announced soon.
Construction is planned to start in December 2025 and is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.
In addition to increasing local energy resilience, the solar farm is expected to make the region more attractive to electricity retailers, improving price competitiveness for residents and businesses. The project will also generate local employment and support economic development.
The solar farm will be owned and operated by Centralines and its JV partner, on behalf of the Central Hawke’s Bay Consumers Power Trust, which owns Centralines on behalf of local consumers.