Gas decline cuts major users' production and increases coal-generated electricity by 99%

Gas decline cuts major users' production and increases coal-generated electricity by 99%
NZ's largest energy user Methanex has been cutting back production. (Image: Methanex)
Ian Llewellyn
The decline in gas supply led to cuts in gas consumption and production from major energy users and a 99% increase in coal use to generate electricity, according to the latest statistics.The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) latest energy quarterly data said for the quarter ending March gas net production was 31.89 petajoules (PJ), a 12% decrease on March 2023 and the lowest quarterly net production since March 1985.Not all of this was from a natural decline in NZ’s sunset gas fields.“A planned outage at...

More Energy

War on Nature v Going for Growth
Opinion

Pattrick Smellie: War on Nature v Going for Growth

Some big environmental eggs were broken this week to 'go for growth'.

$200m gas fund may not be enough as Māui closure looms
Policy

$200m gas fund may not be enough as Māui closure looms

The fund has been expanded to cover gas storage.

Ian Llewellyn 06 Nov 2025
Commerce Commission approves Huntly agreement
Markets

Commerce Commission approves Huntly agreement

Gentailer deal to keep Rankine unit running gets a quick tick.

Ian Llewellyn 06 Nov 2025
Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation
Policy

Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation

Burning some coal to enable more renewable power "not a bad deal".

Pattrick Smellie 05 Nov 2025