Frequently Asked Questions

In March 2024, the developers FNSF Ltd made applications for consent to ECAN. These applications are currently 'on hold' pending processing. ECAN has not yet decided whether to publicly notify the proposal.

The applications follow over a year of contact between the developers and Hurunui District Council. The proposed site was sold to a new landowner in December 2022, and taken over by the new owner in March 2023. Shortly after the take-over FNSF contacted Hurunui District Council, and there was a Council meeting about the proposal with a consultant planner in April 2023. 

We hope so, but there are no guarantees. ECAN won't confirm their approach until they have processed the applications. 

There is also the possibility that the developers FNSF Ltd will seek to 'fast-track' the consent process, possibly relying on changes to the Resource Management Act that are anticipated to come into force soon under the new Government. If they go that route, there will be no public consultation. This is one reason we encourage everyone to speak up now, before it's too late.

Yes. The site includes land on both sides of the Weka Creek, a waterway live with aquatic species and birdlife. It is also rich in fossils, and ancient Moa bones have been found in its banks. Building the plant would almost certainly require disruption of the Creek, and the nesting grounds that surround it.

While we can't speak for the developers, it seems clear that they have chosen the proposed site for its proximity to an electricity substation. The closer their plant is to a substation, the less work they have to do to connect to the electricity grid. Less work means a cheaper initial set-up, and more profits for the developers & their offshore investors.

Yes. The developers FNSF Ltd are keen to down-play the visual impact, but even they cannot deny that it will always be visible, with a max height for the structures and panels of around 4 to 5m. There is some suggestion that trees would be planted to screen the site, but that will only hide it from someone standing on the same level. It will always be visible across the Valley, particularly to anyone looking down the Valley or on to/across to it. And any screening will only take effect in several years once trees are fully-grown.

There are three main sources of noise on this proposed 'Waipara solar farm'.  1: the panels. The 252,000 panels would use motors to move every 10-15 minutes to follow the sun. 2: the inverters. There would be 30 shipping-container sized invertors on the solar farm. 3: wind. At 4.5m max height, the panels will be a huge structure for the wind to hit.

Information from a similar solar farm development in the North Island suggests the most noticeable noise would occur on sunny summer evenings.

Solar plant developers are keen to insist that industrial plants pose no health concerns. However, it is a regrettable fact that solar panels contain toxic elements that can leach into the environment if the panels' 'seals' are damaged. Soil pollution, seepage into water courses and toxic fumes if panels catch fire are all genuine concerns that should not be dismissed. Nearby residents may also wish to consider the impact on mental health and well-being of the building of an industrial plant. During the construction phase, increased dust and air pollution may also be an issue for some.

Unfortunately, no. We have found that solar farm developers are keen to dismiss any legitimate concerns as mis- or dis-information. But the fact is, industrial-scale plants are not necessarily the right thing in every area and for every community. In our 'Tricks of the Trade' section we explain how developers use the idea of 'disinformation' to silence opposition, and in our 'Fact Check' we consider the developer's complaints of disinformation in relation to this proposal.

Get in touch! With us, with ECAN, with Hurunui District Council, with Far North Solar Farm Ltd - your voice matters and should be heard. If you'd like to join the campaign to Save Waipara Valley please visit our Join page or email us at savewaiparavalley@outlook.com. We are always looking for volunteers. And watch this space for our upcoming Crowdfunder.

No.  At Save Waipara Valley we believe that solar power is just like most things: great in the right circumstances, and terrible in the worst circumstances. An industrial solar plant is not necessarily good or bad. Whatever your views, we think you deserve to be fully informed.