New Zealand EVs and Beyond website reported that on August 27, New Zealand Energy Minister Simon Brown attended the Christchurch Kowhai Park 168 MW photovoltaic power plant project commencement ceremony. The project covers an area of 230 hectares and requires the deployment of about 300,000 solar panels, which can meet the electricity demand of 36,000 households for a year.

Reported that the project by New Zealand power group Contact Energy joint headquarters in London Lightsource Bp cooperation construction. Mike Fogg, chief executive of Contact Energy, said the project would be one of the largest photovoltaic power stations in New Zealand when completed. The project received a S $267 million loan from a consortium of banks from New Zealand's Westpac Bank, China Construction Bank, Mizuho Bank and Italy's Inesco Sanpaolo Bank, Lightsource Bp said.

Minister Brown reiterated the government's commitment to supporting such projects, stressing New Zealand's emphasis on sustainable development, "We need to double the amount of renewable energy New Zealand needs over the next 25 years to 2050." To this end, the licensing fast track will play a key role. "My message to the energy industry is that we need more investment and want to see more investment across the country."