Lightsource bp secures financing for the 168MW New Zealand solar farm

Lightsource bp, a global leader in solar energy, has secured NZ$267 million in financing for its 168MWdc Kōwhai Park solar project in Christchurch, New Zealand. This project, developed in partnership with Contact Energy, will be one of the country’s largest solar farms, featuring approximately 300,000 solar panels. Financing was provided by Westpac New Zealand, Mizuho, China Construction Bank, and Intesa Sanpaolo, structured as a green loan. Construction is set to begin in late 2024, with commercial operations expected in 2026. The Kōwhai Park solar farm will generate over 275GWh annually, enough to power around 36,000 homes.