News
What is behind low wholesale electricity prices
Our previous ‘Eye on electricity’ article explained how high wholesale electricity prices in early August 2024 reflected fuel scarcity in the electricity syste…
What was behind high wholesale electricity prices
Between July and early August 2024, New Zealand’s wholesale electricity prices increased from roughly $300/MWh to over $800/MWh. This article explains how the …
New Zealand progressing at pace towards a highly renewable electric future
New Zealand is transitioning to a highly renewable electricity system. This change will require investment in new electricity generation to match demand growth…
Why has electricity demand been higher in 2024?
Demand for electricity comes from all over Aotearoa and includes everything from heating homes to smelting aluminium. In 2024, the monthly total electricity de…
How demand-side flexibility can contribute to security of supply
Demand-side flexibility is a term that describes situations where consumers change the time or the amount of their electricity consumption. By reducing or shif…
Forward price dip following new Tiwai smelter contracts
On 31 May 2024, three of New Zealand’s largest electricity generators (Meridian, Contact and Mercury) announced new contracts of up to 20 years with New Zealan…
Natural gas and the electricity sector transition
The New Zealand Government has committed to net zero emissions by 2050 and fossil fuels are being phased out, including in the electricity sector. This article…
The difference between winter peak capacity and dry year risk
The New Zealand electricity system provides reliable electricity around the clock, however, the system faces some challenges in achieving this. This article ex…
How the HVDC balances electricity supply and demand
Electricity supply and demand differ across New Zealand’s two main islands. The South Island has abundant hydro generation, while the North Island is more popu…
Unlocking the potential for batteries to contribute to security of supply
As New Zealand electrifies, more grid-scale batteries will maximise the benefits of renewable energy and provide extra resilience during times of tight electri…
Past and future spot market volatility
Half-hourly electricity spot prices reflect the underlying conditions in the electricity market. This article explains what’s behind the emerging spot market v…
The levelised cost of electricity
In New Zealand, more electricity generation is needed to meet future electricity demand and replace retiring thermal power plants. The initial build costs of n…
Let the sun shine!
New Zealand’s first megawatts (MW) of solar power were generated and sold on the wholesale market last week. Kaitaia solar farm, in the far north of the North …
Wind power sets new records
Several new wind farms connected to the grid and started operating this year – Turitea, Kaiwera Downs and Harapiki. Find out how this has increased capacity an…
All Blacks “demanding” support from home with electric performance at RWC 2023
There was a wave of change as New Zealanders got back on side with the All Blacks as they steadily progressed through each battle to the 2023 Rugby World Cup f…