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 through the development of a 35-hectare solar farm in Ongaonga, in partnership with Lodestone Energy—New Zealand’s leading utility-scale solar developer.
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.
Centralines has secured funding from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) for this project a key part of Centralines’ long-term strategy to improve energy resilience and support regional sustainability.
Construction is planned to begin in December 2025, with the build expected to take approximately 12 months. Once complete, the solar farm will:
Connect directly into the Centralines’ electricity network via a new Ruataniwha 33kV switchroom, located next to Transpower’s Waipawa grid exit point.
- 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
Local generation will strengthen energy security and reduce our dependence on remote supply, especially during weather-related or system-wide events.
The project is funded through a combination of Centralines and Lodestone Energy equity, bank lending, and an $8 million concessionary loan from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF).
Lodestone Energy has been selected as Centralines’ joint venture partner. Lodestone brings extensive experience in solar development and operates a growing portfolio of agrivoltaic solar farms across Aotearoa.
Construction is planned to begin in December 2025, with completion expected in approximately 12 months.
The project will:
- Provide clean, reliable, locally generated power
- Reduce pressure on national supply infrastructure
- Connect directly to Centralines’ electricity network via a new Ruataniwha 33kV switchroom, located next to Transpower’s Waipawa grid exit point — where electricity from the national grid flows into Central Hawke’s Bay.
- Potentially attract more electricity retailers, potentially improving pricing for consumers
- Create local jobs and support regional economic development
The solar farm will be jointly owned and operated by Centralines and Lodestone Energy, delivering value back to the community through the Central Hawke’s Bay Consumers Power Trust.