Lodestone Energy Limited

Our MD, Gary Holden, was welcomed as a keynote speaker at this weeks Decentralised Energy Forum #DEF2024 hosted in Canada this week. Gary and #LodestoneEnergy continue to attract international interest for their achievements in elevating solar energy’s role in New Zealand along with their innovative Virtual Rooftop Solar proposition. In Gary’s words: “Customers like the idea of renewable energy. They want someone to do it for them in an easy way... to make the complicated simple. It's a long-term decision that goes with you from place to place. It's exciting what happens when people start to think this way.” #DEF2024  #VirtualRooftopSolar #SolarEnergy #NZSolarFarm #SolarFarms

Sometimes, an impromptu huddle with a few props and some great minds is the best way to spark innovative solutions. Here, the team were spotted bouncing ideas on a piling approach for our next #solarfarms in planning. Every farm has unique geotechnical challenges to navigate. At the same time, we are always looking to apply learnings from our previous solar farm projects to improve the efficiency of how we design and build the next. #Lodestoneenergy #harnessingthesun #NZsolarfarms #SolarFarm #SolarEnergy Gary Holden Daniel Cunningham Peter Apperley Brendan McNamara Nick Murray Brad Henderson

Smiling behind the #harakeke fronds, our Project Manager, Nick Murray, is helping the team prepare plants for their new home on our #Rangitaiki Solar Farm.   On a perfect ‘solar-day’, a team of six set to work planting 3,500 natives around the farm.   As our farms are completed, it is rewarding to be able to restore some of the surrounding areas of the property.   The areas we have planted on Rangitaiki add to the 7 hectares of natives we have already planted on our #Kohirā Solar Farm in Kaitaia.   #lodestoneenergy #renewableenergy #solarenergy #solarfarms #NZsolarfarm #cleanenergy  

 We want to give a ‘shout-out’ to our partner, The Warehouse Group, who set a bold goal to reduce their Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 (compared to a 2020 base year) and reach zero emissions by 2040.   Switching to renewable energy is a major part of this plan.   Last week, The Warehouse Group (TWG) released its inaugural Climate-Related Disclosures Report for FY24. Over the past year, TWG converted 63 of its stores to Lodestone’s Virtual Rooftop Solar and consolidated some of its sites. In doing so, the group reduced its Scope 2 (market-based) emissions by 42.3% versus FY23.   By 2026, the partnership will see TWG convert the remainder of its stores to Lodestone’s solar solution, with the plan of eliminating its market-based Scope 2 emissions in NZ.  Congratulations on your Toitū Envirocare commitment to #carbonreduce and the progress made so far.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/gpHxrmmk    #Scope2emissions #Carbonreduction #Climatedisclosure #sustainableenergy #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #solarenergy #Lodestoneenergy #NZSolarFarm #SolarFarms #VirtualRooftopSolar  

We are proud to share the official name of our fourth solar farm, which recently began construction near Whitianga. Local iwi, Ngāti Hei ki Wharekaho, bestowed the name Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga, on the farm during the blessing of our project. Pāmu meaning farm, and Rā meaning sun/solar, which translates to Solar Farm of Whitianga. With a capacity of 32 MWp once commissioned, Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga will generate the equivalent of ~50% of the electricity currently consumed in the Coromandel region. Right from the early planning stages, Lodestone engages with local iwi and community stakeholders on the development of our farms. Each of Lodestone’s farms has been gifted its name by local iwi, who are supportive of our vision for a cleaner and more resilient energy future. Learn more about Pāmu Rā ki Whitianga: https://lnkd.in/g-S34_mX #Lodestoneenergy #renewableenergy #solarenergy #cleanenergy #NZSolarfarm #Solarfarms #Whitianga

What role is utility-scale solar playing in the New Zealand energy landscape? NBR’s Simon Shepherd takes on the topic in his latest #BacktoBusiness #15’ podcast with Greg Bannon Ingham’s Head of Strategy and Procurement, Gary Holden Lodestone Energy MD, John Harbord Chair of the Major Electricity Users' Group (MEUG) and Anders Maltesen ABB Division Manager and Energy Ambassador weighing in on some of the big energy questions hanging over New Zealand. Greg discusses Ingham's corporate goal to be on 75% renewable energy by 2030. After embarking on a journey 18 months ago to review their energy strategy, they considered all options and recently committed to a partnership with Lodestone for their Virtual Rooftop Solar Solution. Gary explained how utility-scale solar contracts are enabling businesses to transition faster and are unlocking new renewables for the country. He shared a broader vision which imagines a solar farm connected to every town in New Zealand. Interesting to note, from an international viewpoint Anders sees New Zealand in a great position from an energy perspective and well positioned for electrification. Listen to the full episode: Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gwaz3mXw Apple Podcast:  https://lnkd.in/ggGzTjue #Lodestoneenergy #NBR #BackinBusiness #Inghams #TheWarehouseGroup #renewableenergy #solarenergy #cleanenergy #NZSolarfarm #Solarfarms Inghams Group Limited NBR - National Business Review

Today, we are pleased to announce a new partnership with New Zealand’s leading poultry provider, Inghams Group Limited, in a landmark solar generation agreement beginning in 2025.   Under a 20-year agreement, Lodestone will match 100% of Inghams electricity consumption from its solar farms in the Bay of Plenty and the Coromandel.   Through Lodestone’s certified renewable energy contract, Inghams will eliminate its Scope 2 emissions and significantly reduce its overall carbon footprint. The agreement offers the dual benefits of a more sustainable and resilient operation in the face of growing demand and a volatile electricity market.   Inghams Chief Executive New Zealand, Edward Alexander, said: “Lodestone’s renewable energy proposition is innovative, saves us money and enables Ingham’s to meet its decarbonisation goals long into the future. We are obtaining the same outcome as if we built our own rooftop solar infrastructure but without the upfront capital cost and ongoing maintenance requirements.”    This past winter has reminded all commercial operations the necessity of hedging electricity usage. Lodestone’s solar hedge proposition, supported by Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) enables organisations to extend their thinking to longer terms and avoid the ongoing risk of carbon costs and natural gas.  Read full press release: https://lnkd.in/gTqEcSbc #LodestoneEnergy #NZSolarFarm #SolarFarms #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #solarenergy #Inghams #InghamsNZ #RECs

This September the #Lodestone team are out and about participating in a range of conferences on renewables, infrastructure, and impact investing around the motu. Our team enjoy contributing to these events and sharing their knowledge and ideas on how we can build a more resilience energy future. This afternoon at the anticipated Oceania Renewable Power Summit, Daniel Cunningham our GM of Development and Chris Jewell our CFO will join panel discussions on 'Rethinking EPC Supply Chain Challenges' and 'Funding Renewable Energy Projects'. On Wednesday our MD, Gary Holden, is contributing to a discussion at ‘Connecting Climate Solutions with Capital’, an event hosted by the Impact Investing Network at KPMG New Zealand’s offices in Auckland. Just last week …. Peter Apperley, our GM of Engineering drew a large crowd ‘standing room only’, when he presented a paper on the design and challenges of building our #Kohirā Solar Farm at the Electricity Engineers' Association of New Zealand 2024 Conference. Nico Bosman of ElectroNet Group also joined the stage discussing their experiences and learnings of ‘Commissioning NZ’s Largest Solar Project’. Of the 900+ who attended #SEANZ2024 ‘Tomorrows Energy Today’, some will have heard Daniel Cunningham discussing Lodestone’s use and the future potential of #agrivoltaics as a solar design approach. Thank you to all the associations involved in curating these events and creating valuable opportunities for industry collaboration.     #lodestoneenergy #renewableenergy #solarenergy #solarfarms #NZsolarfarm #cleanenergy #agrivoltaics #SEANZ #EEA2024 #OceaniaRenewablePowerSummit #ImpactInvesting #ClimateSolutions

Today we gathered in a ground-breaking ceremony to open our fourth solar farm situated just south of Whitianga township on the Coromandel Peninsula. We were joined by members of the local community, Ngāti Hei kaumātua, Joe Davis, Powerco Chief Executive James Kilty and Coromandel MP Hon Scott Simpson, in blessing the site and planting native trees in recognition of the official opening of the 33 MWp Whitianga solar project. During his address, Mr Simpon said, “The world, and indeed New Zealand, is embarking on a journey to electrification.  Solar is part of the puzzle that will help us transition to a renewable future. This [Lodestone’s solar project] is a significant and important milestone in our backyard. Our grandparents wouldn’t believe it. Our grandchildren will thank us for it.” The Whitianga Solar Farm will generate 50 GWh of renewable energy annually, capable of powering up to 6,800 homes. This development contributes to Lodestone’s broader plan to bring 800+ GWh of solar energy to market by F28, accelerating New Zealand’s zero-carbon journey. On the same site, local network operator Powerco is building a new 66kV substation. The combined new infrastructure will deliver significant value to the Coromandel region improving local energy resilience and adding capacity for future growth on the Peninsula. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g7w3UQQG #lodestoneenergy #renewableenergy #solarenergy #NZsolarfarm #whitianga #solarfarms #agrivoltaic #Coromandel Infratec New Energy Connell Contractors Drillco Jacobs

Today we gathered in a ground-breaking ceremony to open our fourth solar farm situated just south of Whitianga township on the Coromandel Peninsula. We were joined by members of the local community, Ngāti Hei kaumātua, Joe Davis, Powerco Chief Executive James Kilty and Coromandel MP Hon Scott Simpson, in blessing the site and planting native trees in recognition of the official opening of the 33 MWp Whitianga solar project. During his address, Mr Simpon said, “The world, and indeed New Zealand, is embarking on a journey to electrification.  Solar is part of the puzzle that will help us transition to a renewable future. This [Lodestone’s solar project] is a significant and important milestone in our backyard. Our grandparents wouldn’t believe it. Our grandchildren will thank us for it.” The Whitianga Solar Farm will generate 50 GWh of renewable energy annually, capable of powering up to 6,800 homes. This development contributes to Lodestone’s broader plan to bring 800+ GWh of solar energy to market by F28, accelerating New Zealand’s zero-carbon journey. On the same site, local network operator Powerco is building a new 66kV substation. The combined new infrastructure will deliver significant value to the Coromandel region improving local energy resilience and adding capacity for future growth on the Peninsula. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g7w3UQQG #lodestoneenergy #renewableenergy #solarenergy #NZsolarfarm #whitianga #solarfarms #agrivoltaic #Coromandel Infratec New Energy Connell Contractors Drillco Jacobs