Client Chintec

Location Christchurch, New Zealand

Start Date 2025 – Ongoing

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Kowhai Solar Farm

The Project
McKay is serving as the electrical subcontractor for the 167.86 MW Kowhai Park Solar Farm, one of New Zealand’s largest utility-scale renewable energy projects, located near Christchurch Airport and spanning 230 hectares. Developed by Christchurch Airport adjacent to Transpower’s national grid and Orion’s Canterbury distribution network, the facility represents Phase One of a broader renewable energy vision for the site.

Working in coordination with EPC contractor Chintec, McKay’s scope covers all electrical works across the site, from underground cable infrastructure through to testing and pre-commissioning. The scale of the project demands careful staging and sequencing, with McKay’s installation activities aligned closely with civil construction progress across multiple zones of the site.

Project Deliverables
McKay’s scope spans the full electrical delivery of the solar farm, from ground-breaking through to commissioning readiness.

  • Trenching & Cable Infrastructure: McKay is responsible for all underground electrical installation works, including excavation, conduit and ducting installation, placement of pull pits and joint bays, and backfilling to design tolerances. Works are coordinated with civil and geotechnical teams to maintain correct alignment, depth, and environmental compliance throughout.
  • Cable Installation: LV, MV, and DC power cables have been installed, pulled, dressed, and terminated across the site in accordance with manufacturer and EPC standards. This includes DC string terminations, inverter connections, and MV power station interfaces through to transformers and switchgear.
  • Earthing & Bonding: Earthing and bonding systems have been installed across all arrays, inverter stations, and switchboards, compliant with AS/NZS 3000 and project-specific protection requirements.
  • Switchboards & Inverter Stations: Electrical components within switchboards, inverter stations, and transformers have been installed and connected, with all works meeting Chintec and OEM standards.
  • SCADA & Communications: McKay has provided installation support for the integration of SCADA and communication systems for power and control monitoring across the facility.
  • Testing & Quality Verification: Comprehensive testing has been carried out across all installed systems, including continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, and earthing resistance testing. Pre-commissioning tests of LV and MV distribution systems have been completed, with full documentation of test results, as-built drawings, and quality records submitted for EPC and client approval.

Our Approach
A project of this scale requires precise coordination between trades. McKay has staged all electrical works to align with civil construction sequencing, ensuring each zone is ready for electrical installation as soon as the ground works allow, keeping the programme moving without compromising quality or safety. The breadth of McKay’s scope across trenching, installation, and testing means a single, accountable team is managing the full electrical package from start to finish, reducing interface risk and keeping delivery streamlined.