Significant rise in renewable electricity

Ngawha geothermal power station. Photo / Top Energy

Almost 80 per cent of New Zealand's electricity generation came from renewable sources last year, new figures show.

The NZ Energy Quarterly report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) showed renewable energy was 79.9 per cent of electricity generated last year.

The renewable share has previously tipped over 80 per cent in recent years - in the September 2014 and December 2013 quarters - but the overall figures for 2014 are the highest since 1996.

Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges said during much of the previous decade the share of renewable electricity generation was in the 60-70 per cent range, before beginning to climb in 2009.

"So the overall trend is very positive and shows we're making strong progress towards our ambitious goal of having 90 per cent of New Zealand's electricity supply generated by renewables by 2025."

Geothermal electricity generation contributed more electricity than natural gas during 2014, for the first time since 1975.

Mr Bridges said geothermal generation had more than doubled over the past decade.

"These figures are a reminder of the renewable advantage New Zealand enjoys as a result of our abundant energy resources," Mr Bridges said.

"New Zealand's share of renewable electricity generation is the fourth largest in the world.

"Globally, the value of the renewable energy industry is growing, which also presents opportunities to leverage our expertise and experience."

The quarterly figures also showed demand for electricity was up, particularly driven by an 25 per cent increase in use by the agriculture, fishing and forestry sector, largely due to an increase irrigation.

Mr Bridges will be attending the World Geothermal Congress in Melbourne in April to promote New Zealand's geothermal expertise.