Favourable conditions see hydro increase overall renewable electricity generation

“This September quarter saw a 22.6% increase in hydro generation, up 1,260 GWh thanks to more favourable conditions than last September’s dry quarter,” says Generosa.

“Geothermal capacity added since last September’s quarter at Te Huka Unit 3 near Taupō helped push up geothermal generation by 6.5% or 156GWh. Solar continued its steady growth up 64.2% or 83GWh.

“Despite residential electricity demand reaching a new quarterly record of 4,511GWh, increased generation from renewable sources meant significantly less coal and gas were needed to meet demand. Overall, there was a 67.4% (596 GWh) drop in generation from coal and a 22.5% (284 GWh) drop in gas generation.

“Gas use in the chemicals sector rose on the September 2024 quarter, which had seen Methanex idling their production facilities from mid-August to the end of October 2024. Methanex paused operations again in 2025 to free up gas for the generation market, although this was from mid-May to early July and had minimal impact on the September 2025 quarter.

“Petrol prices continued their steady decrease this quarter following eight OPEC+ members gradually increasing their production from April 2025.

“This contributed to petrol prices decreasing 4.43% from 264.1 cents per litre to 252.4 cents per litre year-on-year, and diesel prices also dropping 5.90% from 192.3 cents per litre to 180.9 cents per litre,” says Generosa.

You can read this data along with full quarterly energy results and graphs:

New Zealand Energy Quarterly

The next Energy Quarterly will be published on 12 March 2026.