Meridian reports drop in 2025 hydro storage

Meridian Energy has reported a decrease in national hydro storage and lower inflows for January 2025.

National hydro storage dropped from 114% to 91% of the historical average, with South Island storage at 88% of average and North Island storage at 117% of average.

Meridian's monthly total inflows were 43% of the historical average, with Waiau catchment inflows at 27% of the average.

However, the company's Waitaki catchment water storage was at 104% of the historical average.

Meridian said January 2025 was the second driest January on record, the fourth driest in the Waiau, and the driest in the Waitaki.

Water storage in the Waiau catchment was 47% of the average.

National electricity demand in January 2025 was 5.7% lower than the same month last year.

Meridian's retail sales volumes were 6.7% lower than January 2024, with segment sales increasing in residential, large business, and corporate, but decreasing in small medium business and agricultural.