Coal power drops

Photo / APN

Electricity generation from coal fell 60 per cent in the June quarter from the same quarter last year as geothermal generation rose to record levels, according to the New Zealand energy quarterly report.

A total of 10,831GWh of electricity was generated in the June quarter, of which 73 per cent was from renewable generation.

More than 13 per cent of the total was generated from geothermal during the quarter, which is a record. Geothermal generation was up 23 per cent from the same quarter last year.

"Contributing to this high level of renewable electricity generation was the 132MW Nga Awa Purua geothermal power station, which officially opened in May," the publication produced by the Ministry of Economic Development said.

Hydro generation provided 55 per cent of electricity in the quarter, which is typical for the time of year with normal lake levels. Electricity generation emissions during the June quarter were the lowest for a June quarter since 2000 because of the drop in generation from coal.

During this quarter New Zealand's electricity generation produced 1556kt of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. This was 20 per cent lower than the same quarter in 2009. Gas production was 5 per cent higher than last year in the June quarter, mostly because the Kupe gas field came online in December.

- NZPA