Hydro losing to thermal power

Hydro-electricity generation fell 3.2 per cent in the September quarter on the previous quarter, after two years of generation increases.

Statistics New Zealand said hydro-electricity generation was 27 per cent lower than for the same quarter a year ago.

Hydro generation had supplied 51 per cent of the electricity generated in the September quarter this year. The September average in the past decade was 68 per cent.

Thermal generation was 60 per cent higher in the September quarter this year than in the same quarter last year, and in August exceeded hydro generation for the first time since the months of June and July 1992.

In the year ended September, total electricity generation was up 2.4 per cent at 35,000 gigawatt hours.

Electricity prices rose 3.2 per cent for commercial users in the September quarter compared with the June quarter, but prices for household consumers were unchanged.

The price of bulk petrol fell 4 per cent and bulk diesel rose 1.5 per cent in the September quarter. Retail petrol prices fell 4.1 per cent.

- NZPA