Coal fills the gas and hydro-electricity generation gap

Coal fills the gas and hydro-electricity generation gap
Huntly was running hot with coal in the June quarter. (Image: NZME)
Ian Llewellyn
Coal used to generate electricity increased sharply between April and June as it filled in for a lack of gas to cover falling hydro lake levels, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment statistics show.The quarter covers the period where the scramble for gas was under way, but before wholesale electricity prices hit record-high sustained levels in July and August.Coal-based electricity generation increased to 883 gigawatt hours (GWh) for the quarter, compared to 144 GWh of generation in the same quarter last year, data from the Energy Qu...

More Energy

Genesis looks at expansion of Huntly power station
Energy

Genesis looks at expansion of Huntly power station

Market being tested for risk investment appetite. 

Ian Llewellyn 01 Jul 2025
Winter 2026 energy shortage warning confirmed
Energy

Winter 2026 energy shortage warning confirmed

Gas has declined even further, but so has industrial demand.

Ian Llewellyn 30 Jun 2025
UK’s Eku Energy buys into Waikato battery storage project
Energy

UK’s Eku Energy buys into Waikato battery storage project

The deal is with overseas-owned NZ company Helios Energy.

John Anthony 26 Jun 2025
Public Trust makes claims of $900m against SolarZero
Law & Regulation

Public Trust makes claims of $900m against SolarZero

Public Trust has made unsecured claims against the company.

Ian Llewellyn 25 Jun 2025