News
Electricity Authority approves Meridian clearance application
The Electricity Authority has today approved a clearance application relating to a new demand response agreement between Meridian Energy and New Zealand’s Alum…
Electricity Authority notes decision on Code breaches by retailer
The Electricity Authority has noted a Rulings Panel decision published today which found electricity retailer Ecotricity breached the Electricity Industry Part…
FTR market operating broadly as intended
Today the Electricity Authority published a decision paper about whether the market settings are fit-for-purpose in the financial transmission rights (FTR) mar…
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Solar generation now and in the future
There is currently around 270 MW of installed solar generation in New Zealand. This adds up to about the same capacity of a coal or gas fired Rankine generation unit. Out of the 270 MW of solar, about 180 MW is in the North Island and is mostly made up of rooftop solar installations. There is about 200 MW of rooftop solar on residential buildings across New Zealand.
Industry simulation exercise
In preparation for winter, the Electricity Authority recently held an industry simulation exercise alongside Transpower as the system operator. The first day o…
Improving the financial transmission rights market
In 2022, the Electricity Authority consulted on an Issues paper about whether market settings are fit-for-purpose in the financial transmission rights (FTR) ma…
Spot market price volatility in May 2023
In May 2023, the electricity spot market experienced extreme price volatility. Spot prices swung between $0.01 and $3,350/MWh. However, despite occasionally hi…
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Southern lakes, the HVDC and thermal powered generation
Electricity demand and generation differ across New Zealand’s two main islands. The South Island has abundant hydro generation, while the North Island contains more people and consumes more electricity. HVDC cables allow electricity from one island to flow to the other. Typically, electricity flows northward during the day, and southward overnight. However, when South Island hydro inflows are high, the HVDC can continuously flow northward.
When do power station outages occur?
Electricity in New Zealand is generated by hydro dams, geothermal and thermal power stations, and wind farms. Some of these power stations were built recently, like the Waipipi wind farm in Taranaki which was completed in 2021. Others are over 60 years old, like the Roxburgh dam in Central Otago. Maintaining each power station is critical - power stations cost millions to build and generate the electricity that facilitates modern life across Aotearoa.
We’re hiring! Principal Advisor, Compliance Lead
We’re on the hunt for a Principal Advisor - Compliance Lead to join the Compliance team within our Legal, Monitoring and Compliance group. The right candidate …
Review of retailers’ alignment with Consumer Care Guidelines
The Electricity Authority has conducted its first review of electricity retailers’ self-assessed alignment with the Consumer Care Guidelines. We released our r…
Andrew Millar appointed as GM Market Policy
The Electricity Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Millar as the General Manager, Market Policy. The Electricity Authority worked with …
Reminder: hedge disclosure obligations
This is a reminder for participants in the hedge market to submit their annual hedge disclosure declaration certificate by 30 June 2023, as per clause 13.230 o…
Report for the Minister of Energy and Resources
The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko has published its Four-monthly report to the Minister of Energy and Resources to improve public access to, and understan…
We’re hiring!
Are you a skilled policy analyst looking for your next career move? We’re recruiting for two roles: Senior Analyst – Policy (closes 11 June). Join our Market P…