Renewable sources generated 92 percent of New Zealand’s electricity in the June 2026 quarter, supported by strong hydro inflows and continued growth in renewable generation capacity, government data showed on Thursday.
Renewables generated more than 90 percent of electricity for the third consecutive quarter, according to the latest energy quarterly data release from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
“Strong renewable generation helped meet increasing electricity demand while significantly reducing the need for coal and gas generation,” MBIE Domains Manager Amapola Generosa said in a statement.
Overall electricity generation increased 1.9 percent from the same quarter last year, while renewable generation rose 11.4 percent, Generosa said.
Hydro generation increased 14.7 percent, geothermal generation reached a record quarterly high of 2,621 gigawatt-hours, and solar generation recorded its highest-ever June quarter, according to the ministry.
Gas-fired generation fell to its lowest level for a June quarter since 1981, while coal-fired generation fell to its lowest June-quarter level since 1996, statistics showed.
Strong renewable generation also contributed to a 66-percent decline in wholesale electricity prices from a year earlier, Generosa said, adding that residential electricity costs, however, increased 10 percent, primarily due to higher network charges supporting investment in electricity infrastructure.
Outside electricity, gas production fell 19.5 percent and total gas demand declined 20.4 percent compared with the June 2025 quarter, according to the release, which also highlighted the impact of the Middle East conflict on New Zealand fuel prices.
