Hydroelectricity Falls In June Quarter

New Zealand Energy Statistics: June 2001 quarter

Hydroelectricity generation was 10.5 per cent lower in the June 2001 quarter than in the June 2000 quarter, according to latest figures from Statistics New Zealand.

The contribution of hydro-generation fell to 57 per cent of the total electricity generation in the quarter. This was the lowest percentage contribution since June 1992, when hydro-generation fell to 54 per cent of the total generation. This compares with a June quarter average of 67 per cent and an annual average of 71 per cent.

In the June 2001 year, however, hydroelectricity generation was 5 per cent higher than in the June 2000 year, due to higher levels of production in the September and December quarters.

After adjusting for seasonal variations, total electricity generation in the June 2001 quarter rose 1.4 per cent. The June 2001 quarter figures predate the Government call on 27 July 2001 for electricity savings.

Commercial electricity users experienced a price rise of 3.4 per cent in the June 2001 quarter compared with the March 2001 quarter. The rise follows a period of generally declining prices, since June 1998.

Prices for household consumers fell 0.7 per cent in the June 2001 quarter. This fall in electricity prices was caused by price decreases affecting a large number of customers. These decreases were partly offset by increases affecting a small number of customers, and by the move from lower summer to higher winter rates in some areas.

Gas production was 7.3 per cent higher in the June 2001 quarter than in the June 2000 quarter. Production of 250,000 terajoules in the year ended June 2001 was 3.2 per cent higher than in the previous June year. Production was at its highest recorded level in both the June 2001 quarter and the June 2001 year.

Crude petroleum production was 5.9 per cent higher in the June 2001 quarter than in the previous June quarter. For the June 2001 year, however, production fell 5 per cent compared with the June 2000 year. Imports of crude petroleum rose by 3.8 per cent for the June 2001 year.

The price of bulk petrol rose 1.8 per cent, while the price of bulk diesel rose 1.7 per cent in the June 2001 quarter. Retail petrol prices rose 6.5 per cent for household consumers. These rises follow substantial falls in the March 2001 quarter, from the peak levels in December 2000.

Brian Pink
Government Statistician
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