One NZ adds rooftop solar to power Christchurch data
One New Zealand has completed a rooftop solar installation at its Christchurch data centre, helping supply the nearby mobile site that serves One NZ Stadium.
The system is the company's first major onsite renewable energy project, linking its emissions strategy to a key piece of telecoms infrastructure in central Christchurch.
The installation includes 142 rooftop-mounted 580W solar panels across seven arrays, supported by a 110kW three-phase solar inverter. At peak output, it can generate up to 90kW of electricity, close to enough to run both the central Christchurch technology site and the mobile site serving the stadium on a bright, sunny day.
Because the mobile site provides coverage for the stadium next door, streaming, sharing, and posting inside the venue will be supported in part by electricity generated onsite at the adjacent data centre.
Energy Use
Purchased electricity makes up about 70% of One New Zealand's operational emissions footprint, making it the company's largest directly controlled source of greenhouse gas emissions. The business aims to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
The Christchurch project is part of that effort. Adding onsite generation is intended to reduce reliance on grid power and improve energy resilience as operators pay closer attention to electricity security.
Nicky Preston, Head of Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, linked the project to the company's wider climate goals.
"As a digital infrastructure provider, electricity is a major part of our emissions profile. Addressing it is essential to meet our science-based targets and reduce long-term climate risk.
"It's fitting that our first major onsite solar project helps power the digital infrastructure behind One NZ Stadium. We want it to be Aotearoa's most connected stadium, and we're proud that connectivity will be supported by renewable energy generated right here in Christchurch," Preston said.
Climate Targets
One of New Zealand's climate targets has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative as aligned with a 1.5°C pathway. The operator has been adjusting its electricity sourcing as it works to cut operational emissions across its network and property portfolio.
In April 2024, the company began using Meridian Energy's Certified Renewable Energy product to support renewable electricity generation across New Zealand. That change contributed to a 64% year-on-year reduction in Scope 1, 2 and selected Scope 3 emissions in FY25, including a 94% reduction in electricity-related emissions.
One New Zealand already uses onsite solar generation at some mobile sites, including off-grid locations on Great Barrier Island. The Christchurch scheme is a larger urban deployment and shows how telecoms groups are tying network assets more closely to local energy generation.
Rising Demand
The move also comes as telecoms traffic continues to rise. Customers used 18% more mobile data over the past year, increasing pressure on operators to expand and maintain energy-intensive digital infrastructure while also reducing emissions.
Further rooftop solar opportunities are being assessed across the company's property and network footprint. These reviews are part of a broader push to add more onsite generation alongside its renewable electricity procurement arrangements.
The Christchurch installation places power generation beside one of the city's emerging digital and entertainment hubs, with the stadium expected to become a major venue for large-scale events and heavy mobile traffic. On bright days, the data centre and adjacent mobile coverage site could be powered largely by the rooftop system's output.
The project is expected to make locally generated electricity part of the connectivity experience for users at One NZ Stadium.