Helios Solar has submitted its consent for a 660ha solar farm, costed at about $400 million, on farmland between Naseby and Ranfurly.
During last week’s meeting the Maniototo Community Board heard a report proposing the legalisation of Fennessy Rd.
The road runs off the Ranfurly-Naseby road for about 3.5km, providing access to a Transpower substation, the report states.
The formed road frequently strays from the legally designated road and was noticed by Helios during investigations.
Power transmission generally has to be done along legal roads.
After discussions with the owner of the land next to the road, Helios applied to legalise Fennessy Rd by mapping the legal road to the existing formed road.
Central Otago District Council infrastructure manager Quinton Penniall said inconsistencies between legal and formed roads were not uncommon and were addressed on a case-by-case basis as they were discovered.
The cost of legalising the road would be spilt between the council ($8300) and Helios ($20,000) because it was seen as a public benefit, the report said.
The council will consider the board’s recommendation to approve the change at next month’s meeting.
Helios spokesman Jonathan Hill said the company was pleased the community board supported the legalisation of the road.
"The consent application has been filed and we’re working closely with council and other stakeholders, including Transpower, ahead of the notification of the consent application."
The proposed farm would generate enough energy to power 70,000 households annually and construction of the proposed farm would take about two years.
Solar panel arrays were expected to cover 264ha of the total site — leaving the remaining land as pasture or new plantings.
The company could not provide a definitive date for notification.
