Attached is Meridian Energy Limited's monthly operating report for the month of December 2021.
Highlights this month include:
In the month to 11 January 2022, national hydro storage decreased from 128% to 115% of historical average
South Island storage decreased to 112% of average and North Island storage increased to 131% of average by 11 January 2022
Meridian’s December 2021 monthly total inflows were 113% of historical average
Meridian’s Waitaki catchment water storage at the end of December 2021 was 132% of historical average
Water storage in Meridian’s Waiau catchment was slightly below average at the end of December 2021
Waitaki snow storage in early January 2022 was 95% of historical average
National electricity demand in December 2021 was 2.0% lower than the same month last year
December 2021 was another warm month with temperatures above average for most of the country. Except in northern regions, above average rainfall was observed in many parts of New Zealand
New Zealand Aluminium Smelter’s average load during December 2021 was 569MW
Meridian’s New Zealand retail sales volumes in December 2021 were 3.3% higher than December 2020
Compared to December 2020, segment sales increased in residential +12.5%, small medium business +21.9% and corporate +14.1%. Large business volumes were -3.1% lower and agricultural volumes -30.0% lower than December 2020
Following the Court of Appeal decision in the Metro Glass case, a $6.8m provision in relation to holiday pay has been released, reducing December 2021 operating costs
$3.3m of MEA transaction costs have been reclassified out of November 2021 YTD operating costs in December 2021
Highlights for the second quarter include:
Meridian’s Q2 total inflows were 97% of historical average, 6% higher than Q2 last year
Meridian’s Waitaki catchment water storage at the end of Q2 was 79% higher than Q2 last year
Compared to Q2 last year, Meridian’s New Zealand generation was 2.2% higher at a 37.8% lower average price
Q2 saw small changes in NZ futures prices. 2025 commenced trading at lower prices than 2024
New Zealand Aluminium Smelter’s average load during Q2 was 571MW compared with 565MW in Q2 last year
National electricity demand in Q2 was 1.7% lower than Q2 last year
At the end of Q2, Meridian’s New Zealand customer numbers were 7.7% higher than the same time last year
Compared to Q2 last year, Meridian’s NZ retail sales volumes were 4.7% higher at a 3.7% higher average price
Sales increased in most segments, large business and agricultural volumes were lower
Compared to Q2 last year, Meridian’s Australian wind generation was 9.4% lower at a 7.0% lower average price
Hume water storage rose from 97% of average to 98% of average during Q2
At the end of Q2, Meridian’s Australian electricity customer numbers were 0.2% lower than the same time last year
Compared to Q2 last year, Meridian’s Australian retail sales volumes were 7.1% higher at a 16.4% lower average price
Compared to Q2 last year, total operating costs were 8.7% lower and included a $7m holiday pay provision release
Compared to Q2 last year, total capital expenditure was 182.9% higher, with commencement of the Harapaki wind farm build