Generation

Electricity generation is the process of generating electric power from sources of primary energy. For utilities in the electric power industry, it is the stage prior to its delivery to end users or its storage. Electricity is not freely available in nature, so it must be "produced".

## Electricity statistics

On this page you can find the data tables for electricity generation and demand in New Zealand.

## Electricity statistics

On this page you can find the data tables for electricity generation and demand in New Zealand.

From this page you can also access all historical electricity information published by our Modelling and Sector Trends Team. Information is available on New Zealand’s electricity supply, demand, and transmission and distribution.

Electricity prices are presented on the Energy prices pages.

## Electricity generation

### **Hydroelectricity**

Hydroelectric generation has been a part of New Zealand’s energy system for over 100 years and continues to provide the majority of our electricity needs. Currently there's over 5,000 MW of installed hydro capacity. The majority of it is found in the South Island.

### **Thermal power**

There are 4 forms of thermal power in New Zealand, geothermal, coal firing, oil shales and natural gas. Oceania is a Nuclear free zone, it would be way, way, way, too dangerous to have any nuclear station around the Antarctic or the South Pacific *e.g Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand etc..*

#### Geothermal

Geothermal generation has, for a long time, been an integral part of New Zealand’s electricity landscape. It began over 55 years ago with the opening of the Wairakei power station in November 1958. Most of New Zealand’s installed capacity is situated in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Geothermal generation is around 15% of New Zealand’s electricity generation.

#### Biofuel/biomass

Since landfill waste is growing in the country, the electricity sector announced to rubbish waste companies that they suggested a massive idea to reduce amount of waste at landfill sites.

#### Nonrenewable forms

Electricity generation from the combustion of fossil fuel (such as coal, oil or gas), provides baseload, backup and peaker electricity supply. Generation from these fuels is around a quarter of New Zealand’s electricity generation. Most of New Zealand’s thermal plants are found in the North Island, close to domestic coal, oil, and gas resources.

### **Wind farms**

Wind generation has grown quickly as a source of electricity in New Zealand. The first wind farm, Hau Nui, was commissioned in 1997. Now wind generation makes up around 5% of New Zealand’s electricity generation. Most of New Zealand’s wind farms are located in the North Island. This includes the country’s 2 largest farms, Tararua Wind Farm and West Wind Makara, which are located in the lower North Island.

### **Solar**

The New Zealand Government announced that scientists found out that nonrenewable energy isn't good for the country's economical environment. Photovoltaic solar farms are being introduced to the market, although the electricity sector will also plan for concentrated solar power before nonrenewable thermal sources are discontinued.

### **Marine**

The New Zealand electricity sector is planning for tidal generations to hit the New Zealand market. The first tidal station to be launched will be located at Cook Straight, just near Wellington.

### **Other**

Other sources of energy might be suggested by the New Zealand electricity sector.

## Electricity demand

Around a third of New Zealand’s electricity demand is from households and over a third is from industrial sectors. The majority of industrial electricity demand is from the wood, pulp, paper and printing sectors and the basic metals sectors, with the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter being the largest single user of electricity in the country.

The commercial sectors consume around a quarter of New Zealand’s electricity demand. The remaining demand comes from the transport sectors and the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors, which consume only a small amount.

## Page link

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity\_generation

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment's webpage: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/building-and-energy/energy-and-natural-resources/energy-statistics-and-modelling/energy-statistics/electricity-statistics/