Downturn cuts power use

Electricity consumption dropped in the March quarter because of the economic downturn, Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee said yesterday when he released new statistics.

He said the New Zealand energy quarterly report showed a 5 per cent decrease in electricity generation compared with the same quarter last year.

"This is the lowest figure in over five years and is a reflection of the economic downturn dampening electricity consumption, and the reduced usage at the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter," Brownlee said.

"On the flip side, 73 per cent of the electricity generation was from renewable generation - the highest level for a March quarter since 2005."

Brownlee said wind and geothermal generation was continuing to grow.

If the trend continued this year it was likely geothermal generation would supply more than 10 per cent of annual electricity generation for the first time.

Meridian's West Wind project provided just over 3 per cent of electricity generation in the March quarter, said Brownlee.

- NZPA