Major Canterbury solar farm proposal gets provisional fast-track approval

A large-scale solar farm proposed in New Zealand's Canterbury region has received provisional approval under the fast-track process. The step is seen as significant for the project moving ahead.

Planned near Lake Benmore, the facility would be big enough to cover about 320 rugby pitches. That scale suggests the project could make a notable contribution to the country's renewable-energy capacity.

The fast-track process is designed to speed up assessment of major infrastructure and energy projects. With a final decision to follow, details of the project's construction timetable and grid connection are expected to become clearer in the period ahead.