New Zealand Energy Statistics - June 1999 quarter

Wednesday, 1 September 1999, 5:46 pm
Press Release: Statistics New Zealand

Electricity Generation Continues To Fall

After adjustment to remove seasonal variations, electricity generation fell 1.4 per cent between the March 1999 and June 1999 quarters. The underlying trend has been falling for the last seven quarters.

The household electricity price index rose 3.8 per cent between the March 1999 and June 1999 quarters. Generation costs fell, however retail prices, which include line charges, rose. The commercial electricity price index, which measures change in the price paid by businesses, fell 1.1 per cent, driven by a 4.7 per cent fall in the South Island commercial electricity price index.

Gas production for the year ended June 1999 was 11.2 per cent higher than in the year ended June 1998. The colder winter compared with 1998 and increased usage by the methanol and electricity sectors all contributed to the rise. Demand from the electricity industry looks set to increase further now that electricity generation has resumed at the gas-fired plant at Stratford, following a six-week shut down in May and June for repairs, and news that the new plant at Otahuhu is set to commence operations later this year.

The household petrol price index fell for the sixth consecutive quarter, down 0.1 per cent between the March 1999 and June 1999 quarters. However, this trend seems likely to change as consumers have seen pump prices rise four times in the last few weeks.

Ian Ewing
DEPUTY GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN

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