The Foxton solar farm is being developed by Aquila Clean Energy APAC, a clean energy platform headquartered in Singapore.
In New Zealand, the Aquila Clean Energy team is advancing a 580 MW pipeline of utility‑scale solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind projects at various stages of development and construction. One solar farm is already operational in Pukenui, Northland, supplying renewable energy to the national grid.
Aquila Clean Energy New Zealand will lead the construction phase of the Foxton project and manage its operations once complete, ensuring consistency and accountability across the full project lifecycle.
Current projects that our New Zealand team manage include:
The Foxton Solar Farm will be located on a 40‑hectare site along Bergin Road in the Horowhenua District, part of the Manawatu‑Whanganui region on New Zealand’s North Island.
Once operational, it will generate up to 40 megawatts (MWp) of renewable energy and operate for up to 40 years.
The site was carefully chosen for its minimal visual impact on neighbouring properties, close proximity to grid connection points via the nearby Foxton substation, limited use of productive land, and strong natural landscape features that will help screen the solar farm.
The Foxton Solar Farm is a 40‑hectare project located on Bergin Road in Foxton, designed to generate up to 40MWp of renewable energy.
The project is currently approaching its early works stage, with major construction expected to begin in late 2026.
Resource consents were secured from Horowhenua District Council and Horizons Regional Council in 2022, with updated consents granted in 2026, ensuring the project can progress smoothly toward construction.
As the project progresses through late‑stage development and into construction, we remain committed to engaging with local landowners, neighbours, iwi, and the wider community.
Our approach to engagement will focus on collaboration around key project milestones, providing updated website information as we move closer to construction, and providing timely project updates and works alerts notices to keep the local community informed.
As we prepare for early works and pre‑construction in 2026, we will focus on keeping the community informed by sharing the final design of the solar farm, construction schedules, and the mitigation measures planned to minimise disruption.
We will introduce our Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) partner and outline opportunities for local businesses and workers during the construction phase.
Throughout this period, we will provide project updates via the website and a range of targeted engagement methods such as door knocking, distributing project flyers, and issuing works alert notices as needed.
We expect the Foxton Solar Farm to deliver a range of local and regional benefits, including up to 30 full‑time job‑equivalent positions during construction, opportunities for local contractors, suppliers and service providers, and one permanent role once the solar farm is operational.
In the long term, the project will contribute to New Zealand’s renewable energy generation, supporting a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
40 Ha
Late-stage development
Bergin Road, Foxton
40MWp
The project is now in late-stage development as we work through finalising the project designs and getting ready to clear the site prior to early works commencing in early 2026.
We expect site preparation and clearing works to commence in early 2026.
We expect major construction to start from late 2026 to early 2027, after the early works program is complete.
We expect the solar farm to be operational 12-months from start of construction.
Please get in touch with our Project Director via the Contact Us form. As the project moves closer to construction, we will provide this information to the projects EPC contractor who will be responsible for subcontracting opportunities.
We are working with local iwi including Te Tūmatakahuki (representing Ngati Raukawa) and Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, to ensure mana whenua and tikanga are included appropriately. We have engaged with them to seek their feedback and input into our project plans, as well as wider community engagement initiatives.
Our project plans include an accidental discovery protocol to manage any potential risks associated with bulk earthworks. We are also engaging with relevant iwi and hapū groups to ensure the works align with best practice.
Independent environmental testing conducted on-site in 2024/2025 identified two types of contamination from past site activities:
While the CCA contamination levels are higher than normal background levels, they remain well below national environmental safety guidelines, and the wood chip can continue to be safely stored on site (which will also be improved by being in a purpose designed containment bund).
All contaminated material is being handled under strict health, safety and environmental controls, including:
At Aquila Clean Energy, public safety is a core priority across every stage of our projects in New Zealand – from development and construction through to operations and maintenance. Guided by our Public Safety Management System and aligned with New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, Electricity Act 1992, and NZS 7901 industry standard, we are committed to identifying, assessing, and managing risks so far as is reasonably practicable.
Our approach includes rigorous risk management processes, regular audits and reviews, emergency preparedness planning, clear site signage, secure asset design, and ongoing engagement with local communities, iwi, emergency services, and other stakeholders. We continuously monitor and improve our systems to help ensure our renewable energy assets operate safely and responsibly, protecting both people and property while supporting New Zealand’s clean energy future.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
No. Results from independent environment testing indicate that the site does not pose a risk to human health or the surrounding areas outside the site, however there is the need for targeted clean-up work to take place to prepare the site, so it’s safely prepared for construction works to commence on the solar farm.
PV solar panels are designed to reflect as little sunlight as possible (generally around 2% of the light received), resulting in negligible glare. The reason for this is that PV panels are designed to absorb as much solar energy as possible to generate the maximum amount of electricity or heat.
The panels will not generally create noticeable glare compared with an existing roof or building surfaces. Seen from above (such as from aircraft) they appear dark grey and do not cause a glare or reflectivity hazard. Solar photovoltaic farms have been installed on several airports around the world.
Operational noise from the Foxton Solar Farm will not exceed the limits set out in the Horowhenua District Plan for activities within the rural zone.
Please contact us and someone from our development or construction teams will get in touch with you.
+6421545054
