Approvals granted
On 10 August 2026, the expert panel for the Haldon Solar project granted approvals for the application, subject to conditions.
- Listed
- Applied
- Comments
- Panel considering
- Decision
Project summary
Construct and operate a solar farm across approximately 320 hectares, and connect and supply electricity to the national grid.
Project location
320 hectares adjacent to Lake Benmore, south of Haldon Arm Road, 14 kilometres southeast of Twizel, Waitaki District.
Project listing application
Haldon Solar application – Ministry for the Environment website
Completeness decision
The substantive application by Lodestone Energy Limited was deemed complete on 22 September 2025. The application complies with the requirements of section 46 (2) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. The application was lodged on 1 September 2025.
Decision on completeness and scope – Haldon Solar substantive application (PDF, 82KB)
Memorandum on completeness and scope (PDF, 1.15MB)
Environment Canterbury Regional Council consultation (PDF, 3.68MB)
Competing applications decision
The substantive application by Lodestone Energy Limited was deemed not to have any competing applications or existing resource consents on 3 October 2025. This decision is required under section 47 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
Record of decision on competing applications – Haldon Solar (PDF, 89KB)
Decision of appointment of panel and timing of panel decisions
On 24 November 2025, the panel convener issued Minute 5 regarding the:
appointment of the expert panel
timeframe for panel decisions for the Haldon Solar project under clause 2 of section 79 of the Act.
The Minute can be viewed on the Correspondence page for the Haldon Solar project.
-
-
Reports and advice
Read reports, advice and further information sought in relation to the Haldon Solar project -
Correspondence
Minutes, directions and other correspondence to and from the panel convener and the expert panel regarding the Haldon Solar project. -
Conferences, workshops and hearings
Watch and learn more about conferences, workshops and hearings in relation to the Haldon Solar project. -
Comments from invited parties
The expert panel invites written comments on the application from the persons or groups set out in section 53(2) of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. -
Expert Panel
Information about the expert panel appointed to consider and decide the Haldon Solar project. -
Draft decision and conditions
On 26 June 2026, the Haldon Solar project expert panel released its draft decision and conditions. -
The decision
The expert panel for the Haldon Solar project has granted approvals for the application, subject to conditions.