Hydro and wind generate less electricity

Hydro and wind sources accounted for just 55 per cent of the electricity generated in the year to June, the lowest ever for a June year.

Annual generation continued the increase shown since June 2000, reaching a record of 39,650 gigawatt hours this year, up 0.4 per cent on the June 2005 year, figures from Statistics New Zealand show.

Hydro and wind electricity generation provided 22,377 GWh, a drop of 3675 GWh, while thermal generation increased by 3831 GWh (28.5 per cent) to 17,269 GWh, with gas and coal-fired generation making the biggest contribution to the increase.

Electricity generation levels were the highest ever for a June quarter. Bad weather over much of the country during the quarter contributed to the record demand.

- NZPA