Electricity generation at second-highest June quarter level

Electricity generation in the June 2007 quarter is at the second-highest level for a June quarter, only 0.5 percent down on the high level experienced in June 2006, Statistics New Zealand said today.

High June quarter levels have been seen since 2004, when electricity generation jumped nearly 10 percent from the previous year. After adjusting for seasonal variations, the electricity generation trend has been relatively flat over the last year.

Hydro and wind generation decreased this quarter and supplied only 54 percent of the total electricity generated, the lowest ratio since 1992 when it was also 54 percent.

Hydro lake levels were below average over the whole of this quarter but well above the low levels experienced in 1992.

Crude petroleum production in the June 2007 quarter is at the highest June quarter level for five years, and rose 38.8 percent when compared with the lowest recorded June quarter in 2006.

In the June 2007 year, electricity generation increased for the eighth consecutive June year, up 1.1 percent compared with the June 2006 year. A rise in hydro and wind generation more than accounted for the increase while thermal generation, particularly coal-fired generation, decreased.