More Electricity from Hydro and Wind Generation

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More Electricity from Hydro and Wind Generation

Electricity from hydro and wind generation rose by 17.0 percent in the March 2007 quarter, compared with the March 2006 quarter. Over the same period, generation from thermal sources decreased by 19.4 percent, leading to a small overall increase in electricity generation, Statistics New Zealand said today. The March quarter usually has the lowest level of electricity generation in the annual cycle.

When combined, hydro and wind supplied 66 percent of total electricity generation in the March 2007 quarter. Hydro lake levels were above average over the first half of the quarter, dropping to below average over the second half. In the March 2006 quarter, hydro lake levels were well below average, resulting in hydro and wind generation supplying only 57 percent of total electricity, the lowest March quarter ratio since the series began in 1959.

The increased levels of hydro and wind generation in the March 2007 quarter resulted in 74 percent of electricity being generated from renewable resources, which also includes geothermal and biomass sources. This compares with 64 percent in the March 2006 quarter.

In the March 2007 year, total electricity generation increased 1.6 percent compared with the March 2006 year. Increases in total electricity generation have been experienced every March year since 2000. Hydro and wind generation increased, and supplied 61 percent of total electricity, while thermal generation decreased.

Geoff Bascand
Government Statistician

ENDS

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