Helios Energy Limited, a New Zealand-based grid-scale solar developer, received resource consent for two solar projects after their appeal periods closed. The 100 MWac Ongaonga Solar Farm in Central Hawke’s Bay and the 300 MW (AC) Māniatoto Solar Farm in Otago brought Helios’s consented development portfolio to over 500 MW AC). The consents followed detailed assessments, community consultations, and public hearings involving local councils, mana whenua, and other agencies. The Ongaonga project, identified in 2022, was valued at about NZD 150 million, while the Māniatoto project, on 660 hectares of farmland, was valued at NZD 450 million. Both sites were designed to allow ongoing agricultural use and include native planting. Helios planned to move into pre-construction, engage local contractors, and establish community partnership trusts for each project.