Rānui Solar = innovation+sustainability
Flight’s story of innovation and meeting the moment began in 1945 when Jim, the son of a Wellington tradesman bag maker, Bernard Osborne, returned from World War 2. People were beginning to travel by plane and Flight’s new lightweight plastic suitcases met a need. Other plastic products followed and, as awareness of the environmental impact of plastic grew, the company built a plastic recycling company in the Hutt Valley in 2008.
Meanwhile in the 1970’s, Jim’s son Rick became interested in forestry, planted trees and bought a sawmill to process timber in Marlborough, creating jobs and adding value to the locally harvested logs.
In 1997, Marlborough engineer, the late John Smart received a request from a university friend, an architect in the Maldives, who wanted to build a resort. John asked Rick if he could help with supplying timber and Flight Timbers Resort Contracts was born.
“I said, ‘oh sure, let’s see if we can help’. So, we supplied timber, baths and basins, skill saws, and you name it to build resorts. And we have gone on doing so ever since,” explains Rick.
Some prefabrication for the resort contracts is done in Marlborough, with some joinery subbed out to local businesses.
With the plastics business and timber mill sold and always looking for a challenge, Rick realised that solar generation is a no-brainer for Marlborough and Rānui Solar Farm is the result.
Our Partners
Design and project management
Wayne Stronach, Stronach Power Consulting, has more than 30 years of experience working in the electrical supply industry in Marlborough. He has been involved in a range of generation projects in Marlborough, New Zealand and the Pacific, including hydro, diesel and solar schemes, and high voltage electricity battery storage.
Beyond his engineering expertise, Wayne is well versed in regulation and compliance, and health and safety matters.
Installation Contractor
K&T Construction Group, Australasia have a dedicated New Zealand- based construction team, equipment and machinery. They specialise in delivering top-tier solar farm construction services and have been awarded the installation contract for the entire project, including piling, mechanical, module installation, civil and electrical scope.
Website: https://www.kt-construction.com.au/
Rick Osborne (left), Wayne Stronach (right) with (centre) Guillaume Sabater, construction manager, K&T Construction at Rānui Solar Farm.