Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Video | Agriculture | Confidence | Economy | Energy | Employment | Finance | Media | Property | RBNZ | Science | SOEs | Tax | Technology | Telecoms | Tourism | Transport | Search

 

June qtr renewables reach 37-year high

June qtr renewables reach 37-year high

By Gavin Evans

Sept. 20 (BusinessDesk) - Strong hydro and wind generation saw 85 percent of the country’s electricity produced from renewables in the June quarter, according to government data.

That is the highest share for that period – when winter demand usually increases demand for coal- and gas-fired generation – in 37 years, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says.

Total generation increased to 11,046 gigawatt-hours – 1.6 percent more than a year earlier. Hydro generation increased to 6,843 GWh, the most since the September quarter of 2016. It was almost 13 percent more than the June quarter last year when South Island lake levels were low.

Wind generation rose to 560 GWh, the most since the first quarter of 2017 and almost 12 percent more than a year earlier.

New Zealand has a target to achieve 90 percent renewable power generation by 2025. The Labour-led coalition has suggested going to 100 percent renewable – in a year of normal hydrology – by 2035.

The interim climate change committee is testing the feasibility of that as a goal, given the variability of the hydro generation the country depends on and an expected increase in equally variable wind production.

Generation in 2016 was almost 85 percent renewable – the biggest share since 1981. Renewables fell below 73 percent in the dry year of 2012 and below 66 percent in the dry year of 2008.

Other data published by the ministry today shows that net gas production fell to a seven-year low of 36 petajoules. Output fell 17 percent from the June quarter last year due to reduced production from the offshore Pohokura field, the country’s biggest gas producer.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The field - owned by Shell, OMV and Todd Energy - last year accounted for almost 40 percent of the country’s gas production.

Pohokura produces from an offshore production platform and three extended reach wells drilled from the shore. Production from the platform was cut in late March while the partners inspected the line delivering gas and condensate to shore for possible leaks. Output from the offshore wells resumed in July.

In a separate announcement on June quarter GDP today, Stats NZ noted that the shutdown at Pohokura contributed to an almost 20 percent fall in mining activity during the period, the largest quarterly decline in almost 30 years.

(BusinessDesk)

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Business Headlines | Sci-Tech Headlines

 
GenPro: General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices

GenPro has been copied into a rising number of Clause 14 notices issued since the NZNO lodged its Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim against General Practice employers in December 2023.More

SPADA: Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation & Intellectual Property Protections

In an unprecedented international collaboration, representatives of screen producing organisations from around the world have released a joint statement.More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.