位于福克斯顿（Foxton）附近的一座大型太阳能农场，已获得新西兰政府“快速审批”（Fast-track）批准，成为目前第 32个 获得该程序批准的项目，也是第 8个 获批的可再生能源项目。

该项目由 Genesis Energy 于2026年2月提交申请。在独立专家委员会获任命后，仅用了约 3个半月便完成审批。

基础设施部长克里斯·毕晓普（Chris Bishop）表示，福克斯顿太阳能农场装机容量为 220 MWp，预计每年可生产约 345 GWh 的可再生电力，相当于满足约 4.7万户家庭一年的用电需求。

他说，可靠的可再生能源发电对于支持新西兰经济增长以及增强地区经济韧性至关重要。

政府数据显示，目前通过Fast-track程序获批的新能源项目，将新增超过 990MW 的发电能力，相当于新西兰现有发电能力的 5%以上，足以每年为约 32.2万户家庭提供电力。

创造就业并推动地区经济

相关部长表示，福克斯顿太阳能农场在建设期间预计将创造约 100个就业岗位，并通过直接和间接经济活动为当地经济作出贡献。

政府认为，该项目代表着对当地地区的一项重大投资，有望推动区域经济增长，同时帮助新西兰向更加可靠和可持续的能源体系转型。

政府能源政策的目标之一，是为新西兰人提供充足、负担得起且可靠的电力。

Brown部长表示，随着新西兰人越来越多地使用电力，从电动自行车到企业运营，对电力的需求预计将大幅增长。

他说，该项目也将帮助政府实现到 2050年将可再生能源发电量翻倍的目标。

新西兰可再生能源发电比例近年来持续处于高位。政府指出，去年第四季度，可再生能源占全国发电量的 96.5%，创下纪录。不过，随着未来电力需求增长，新西兰仍需要增加新的发电能力，以建立更加具有韧性和可靠性的电力供应体系，并为经济增长提供基础。

Fast-track审批持续推进

政府公布的数据显示，截至目前：

• 32个项目已经获得独立专家委员会批准；
• 16个项目已经任命独立专家委员会；
• 目前共有 59个项目正在Fast-track程序中推进，其中包括28个实质性申请和31个项目转介申请；
• 基础设施部长已经将 65个项目转介至Fast-track程序；
• 《Fast-track Approvals Act》附表2目前列有 149个项目，这些项目具备申请快速审批的资格；
• 实质性申请从政府官员确认申请材料完整并符合范围要求开始计算，平均需要 118个工作日作出决定。

从审批到能源投资

福克斯顿太阳能农场的获批，反映出新西兰政府正在通过简化资源许可和审批流程，加快新能源基础设施建设。

对于新西兰而言，太阳能、风能和水电项目不仅关系到能源转型，也与未来工业、电气化交通、数据中心以及企业用电需求密切相关。

不过，随着Fast-track项目数量增加，如何在加快投资、提高能源供应能力与保护环境、社区利益之间取得平衡，也将继续成为政府和地方社会关注的问题。

从目前的审批速度和项目数量来看，Fast-track机制正在成为新西兰推动大型能源和基础设施投资的重要政策工具。

Foxton Solar Farm Fast-tracked

A solar farm near Foxton is the 32nd project and eighth renewable energy project to be granted Fast-track approval.

Genesis Energy lodged its application in February 2026, with approval taking around three and a half months since the appointment of an independent expert panel.

“The 220 MWp solar farm will generate approximately 345 GWh of renewable electricity annually, enough to power approximately 47,000 homes,” says Mr Bishop.

“Reliable renewable electricity generation is critical to supporting economic growth and regional resilience.

“New renewable energy projects approved through Fast-track will add more than 990 megawatts of new generation capacity. That’s more than five per cent of New Zealand’s current generation capacity and enough to power approximately 322,000 households annually.”

““The project will provide around 100 jobs during construction and contribute directly and indirectly to the local economy,” Mr Jones says.

“The project represents a major investment in the region and will help drive regional economic growth while advancing New Zealand’s transition to a more reliable and sustainable energy future.”

Mr Brown says the Government’s goal is abundant, affordable and reliable power for all New Zealanders.

“Demand for electricity is expected to increase significantly as New Zealanders increasingly go electric in everything from their bikes to their businesses. 

“This project will contribute to the Government’s goal of doubling renewable energy generation by 2050. Renewables were a record 96.5 per cent of electricity generation in the last three months of last year and more generation is required for a resilient and reliable electricity supply to underpin economic growth. 

“Fast-tracking the consenting process to encourage investment in new energy generation is a key part of achieving that 2050 goal.”

Notes to editor

More information about the project: Foxton Solar Farm

Fast-track by the numbers:

32 projects approved by expert panels.
16 projects with expert panels appointed.
59 projects are currently progressing through the Fast-track process. 28 active substantive and 31 referral applications.
65 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure 
149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval.
On average, it has taken 118 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.

Fast-track projects approved by expert panels:

Arataki [Housing/Land]
Ashbourne [Housing/Land]
Ayrburn Screen Hub [Infrastructure]
Green Steel [Infrastructure]
Homestead Bay [Housing/Land]
Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
Delmore [Housing/Land]
Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land]
Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying]
Haldon Solar [Renewable energy]
Hananui Aquaculture [Aquaculture]
Kings Quarry Expansion – Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying]
Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme [Renewable energy]
Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works [Renewable energy]
Māhinerangi Wind Farm [Renewable energy]
Maitahi Village [Housing/Land]
Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing/Land]
The Point Mission Bay [Housing/Land]
Pound Road [Housing/Land]
Rangitoopuni [Housing/Land]
Ryans Road [Housing/Land]
Southland Wind Farm Project [Renewable energy]
State Highway 1 North Canterbury – Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus) [Infrastructure]
Sunfield [Housing/Land]
Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy]
Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 [Infrastructure]
Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying]
Waitaha Hydro [Renewable energy]
Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project [Infrastructure]
Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal [Infrastructure]

Expert panels have been appointed for:

188 Beaumont Street
Alternative to the Brynderwyn Hills
Auckland Prison Capacity Increase
Barrytown Minerals Project
Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project
Bream Bay Sand Extraction Project
Central and Southern Block Mining Project
Downtown Carpark Site Development
Hunua Quarry Development
Mt Iron Junction
Mt Welcome, Pukerua Bay, Porirua
Northwest Rapid Transit
Southern Link Inland Port
Stella Passage Development
The Point Solar Farm
Waikanae North Development