Council and Rangitāne o Tamaki nui-ā-Rua Charitable Trust are working together to plan and develop a small solar farm at the Pond 4 site of the Dannevirke wastewater plant on Makirikiri Road. The solar farm is planned to be an innovative floating solar array covering approximately 40% of the ponds surface and fixed by cables to concrete blocks around the Pond 4 "shoreline". This floating layout will enable solar electricity to run the plant during the day with batteries planned for future nighttime operation.

This solar array has further advantages to the sites operation, such as reduced energy costs and a reduction in algae build up.

Currently, the Dannevirke wastewater treatment plant is one of the highest users of electricity out of all Council facilities.

The proposal will also look at how generated electricity can be turned into a revenue stream by the trust to help low-income households with electricity costs.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment will provide grant funding if the project is completed by 31 March 2025.

An existing floating solar array similar to our proposed site: