Weather and economy weigh on power sector

Electricity companies have faced of one of the driest years on record. Photo / Grant Bradley

Dry weather and a sluggish economy are the biggest challenges for New Zealand's electricity companies right now, according to a report out today.

PricewaterhouseCoopers has released its Leading Energy publication, which shows increased competition and legislative changes have brought significant changes to the electricity sector.

But kiwi power companies are struggling in the face of stalled consumer demand for electricity, said PwC consulting partner Chris Taylor.

"Given all the rain we've had recently, I know it may be hard to believe but this financial year 2012 has been one of the driest on record.

"As a result, South Island catchments have experienced some of the lowest recorded hydro inflows and each of the generators has been impacted."

Companies have been forced to meet the short fall through higher priced thermal gas and coal generation, he said.

Consequently, wholesale electricity prices have nearly doubled from an average electricity price of about $49 per MWh in 2011 to $94 per MWh in 2012.

PwC's analysis of the five largest firms in the electricity sector - Contact Energy, Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, Mighty River and TrustPower - found total revenues increased nearly 23 per cent in the 2012 financial year.

"While as a headline this is impressive, this revenue growth does not translate into earnings growth, due to correspondingly higher electricity generation and acquisition costs," Taylor said.

Across the sector, overall electricity earnings dropped slightly in the year.

The ongoing impact of the global financial crisis has also been a key issue for the sector as major consumers have changed the way they operate.

Less production means less electricity needs, and that combined equals stagnant demand conditions, Taylor said.

"With demand growth stalling, many generation development options are being delayed or put on hold.

"During the last financial year, there have been no significant generation plants commissioned, although there are a number of generation developments currently under construction."

In terms of 'customer churn', the number of customers changing suppliers has plateaued at between 30,000 and 35,000 per month.