Information on thermal fuels

Information about how much thermal fuel (gas, solid fuels and diesel) is available in New Zealand’s power system is important to understand electricity security of supply risks. It also helps market participants make informed risk management decisions.

Thermal fuel information

Our thermal fuel dashboard has up-to-date information on the availability of thermal fuels for electricity generation and is updated on a monthly basis.

Thermal fuel dashboard

There are also a number of other sources of useful information provided below. This information is published by a range of parties and provides a range of information on overall supply, storage and cost.

Gas information

  • Gas production outages (field operators) - Information on current and planned outages. The Gas Industry Company publishes notices received from field operators.
    Outage disclosure

Coal information

  • The closing balance of the coal stockpile at the Huntly plant (Genesis Energy) - Historical information updated quarterly.
    Genesis Energy Reports

  • International coal prices (various) - Monthly average coal prices for benchmark thermal coal. Indonesian-sourced coal is most relevant (Argus) but prices for Newcastle coal are a reasonable proxy.
    Coal benchmarks (subscription required)
    Commodity markets

  • International coal futures prices (various) - Newcastle futures contract prices for benchmark coal for 5+ years ahead.
    Coal futures contract prices

Diesel information

  • Imported diesel costs (MBIE) - Weekly data on the cost of imported diesel from Singapore. This information provides a good indicator of historical fuel cost trends (excluding taxes and domestic transport costs) for large diesel-fired plant.
    Weekly fuel price monitoring

  • International diesel futures prices (CME Group) - Futures prices for diesel from Singapore provide a good indicator of expected wholesale price trends for diesel.
    Singapore Gasoil (Platts) Futures