Try GOLD - Free
Singapore investor eyes sunny returns in NZ solar projects
The Straits Times
|October 10, 2025
SC Oscar sees much potential for growth, as the sun powers only 1% of nation’s electricity
A Singapore-based renewable energy investor sees a bright future in solar power in New Zealand, where only about 1 per cent of the nation’s electricity is powered by the sun.
That means there is plenty of room to expand and potential to tap the growing future energy demand, said Mr Conor McCoole, chief executive and co-founder of Singapore-based SC Oscar Fund Management.
SC Oscar, via its portfolio company Ranui Generation, already has three large-scale solar power plants at advanced stages of development. One of these — the Twin Rivers project near Kaitaia on the far northern tip of the North Island - recently started feeding power into the grid. The 31 megawatt-peak (MWp) project, when fully commissioned in December, will be able to power 6,000 homes.
SC Oscar hopes to commence construction of the other two solar projects in the Taranaki region of the North Island in the first quarter of 2026.
This story is from the October 10, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times
The Straits Times
Bank of S'pore's new Al tool cuts time taken to draft wealth source reports
Bank of Singapore, OCBC Bank's private banking arm, has launched an agentic artificial intelligence (AI) tool to shorten the time it takes to generate source-of-wealth reports.
2 mins
October 11, 2025

The Straits Times
HK-based actress Jacquelin Ch’ng weds senior police inspector in Bali
Hong Kong-based actress Jacquelin Ch’ng has confirmed on social media that she has remarried three years after her divorce.
2 mins
October 11, 2025
The Straits Times
Similar long-term mindset and pragmatism make S'pore, China good partners: Chee Hong Tat
Minister lists ways that the two countries' strong ties can be taken to a higher level
4 mins
October 11, 2025
The Straits Times
Upgrading Asean-New Zealand ties a priority
Zealand believe that their partnership can model the standards they want to see affirmed in the world.
2 mins
October 11, 2025
The Straits Times
Rethinking talent: Lessons beyond the grading curve
As exam season returns, the writer wonders if Singapore’s definition of talent is too narrow for the challenges ahead.
7 mins
October 11, 2025

The Straits Times
S'pore to add 500 acute psychiatric beds to hospitals by 2040
This is part of efforts to expand mental health care capacity: Koh Poh Koon
3 mins
October 11, 2025
The Straits Times
From a giant 'squid' to a T-rex
Science Centre's biggest dinosaur expo opens today
3 mins
October 11, 2025
The Straits Times
Will rising AI tide lift all Asean nations or sink some?
As the AI wave sweeps across Southeast Asia, nations are racing to harness its promise. But the pace and outcomes of this transformation remain uneven.
6 mins
October 11, 2025
The Straits Times
TWISTED STEEL BIDS FOR THIRD IN A ROW
Oct Il Perth (Ascot) form analysis
1 min
October 11, 2025
The Straits Times
US could fire air traffic controllers who fail to work during shutdown
Spike in absences is causing significant air disruptions, says Transportation Secretary
2 mins
October 11, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size