Quick Stats
Key numbers for New Zealand's energy system at a glance.
Electricity Overview
85.5%
Renewable electricity (2024)
Down from 88.1% in 2023 due to dry year reducing hydro output
MBIE Energy in New Zealand 2025
43,879
GWh generated (2024)
Up 0.9% from 2023. Enough to power ~5 million homes for a year
MBIE
~10 GW
Installed generation capacity
Across hydro, geothermal, wind, solar, gas, and coal plants
MBIE
7,107
kWh per household/year
Average household consumption (Sept 2024)
Power Compare
~$200
Average monthly power bill
At ~34c/kWh. Varies significantly by region
Power Compare 2025
39c
Average residential rate (June 2025)
Per kWh including all charges and GST
GlobalPetrolPrices
Generation Mix (2024)
53%
Hydro
23,490 GWh β lowest since 2013 due to dry conditions. Down 11% from 2023
MBIE
20%
Geothermal
8,741 GWh β record high. Up 13% with new plants Tauhara and Te Huka 3
MBIE
9%
Wind
3,919 GWh β record high. Up 22% from 2023
MBIE
1.4%
Solar
601 GWh β record high. Up 62% with new utility-scale farms
MBIE
9%
Natural gas
Thermal backup. Down 0.6% despite low hydro
MBIE
5%
Coal
2,243 GWh β up 118% from 2023 to cover hydro shortfall
MBIE
Market & Players
4
Major gentailers
Mercury, Meridian, Genesis, Contact β generate and retail. Control ~85% of market
Electricity Authority
39
Electricity retailers
Though independents have <15% combined market share
Electricity Authority
51%
Government ownership
Crown owns majority of Mercury, Meridian, and Genesis. Contact is fully private
NZ Government
$2.7B
Gentailer profits (FY2023)
Combined EBITDAF of the big four. Approx $7.4M/day
Consumer NZ
29
Electricity distribution businesses
Local lines companies that deliver power to homes/businesses
Commerce Commission
1
Transmission operator
Transpower β state-owned, operates the national grid
Transpower
Transport & Fuels
~40%
Total energy from renewables
The gap vs 85% electricity shows transport and industrial heat are still fossil-heavy
MBIE
~124,000
Plug-in EVs registered
~88,000 BEV + ~36,000 PHEV. About 2.5% of total vehicle fleet
EVDB NZ, April 2025
~11%
EV share of new sales (2025)
BEV ~5.6% + PHEV ~5%. Down from peak of 27% in late 2023
EVDB NZ
255c
Petrol price/litre (June 2025)
Down 10% from prior year. Regional fuel tax removed mid-2024
MBIE Energy Quarterly
181c
Diesel price/litre (June 2025)
Down 14% from prior year
MBIE Energy Quarterly
315+
DC fast chargers
Across 275+ locations. Goal: one every 75km on state highways
NZTA
Emissions & Climate
78 Mt
Total GHG emissions (COβ-e)
Down 1% in 2024. Agriculture is ~50%, energy ~40%
Stats NZ
6.3t
COβ per capita
Fossil fuel emissions only. Below developed country average when excluding agriculture
Worldometer
~15%
Transport share of emissions
Road transport is the largest source of energy-related COβ
OECD
44.5%
Emissions under ETS
NZ Emissions Trading Scheme covers energy, industry, waste β not agriculture (yet)
OECD 2024
2050
Net zero target
Legislated under Zero Carbon Act (2019). Excludes biogenic methane
Climate Change Commission
100%
Renewable electricity goal
Target by 2030 (previously 2035). 90% target was for 2025
NZ Government
Infrastructure & Capacity
5,400 MW
Hydro capacity
Across both islands. ManapΕuri (850 MW) is largest single station
MBIE
1,300 MW
Geothermal capacity
Up 21% in 2024. Government wants to double by 2040
MBIE
1,269 MW
Wind capacity
Nearly doubled since 2020. Harapaki (176 MW) newest large farm
MBIE
~450 MW
Solar capacity
Up 51% in 2024. Mix of utility-scale and 349 MW residential rooftop
MBIE, Wikipedia
1,435 MW
Huntly Power Station
NZ's largest thermal plant. Coal/gas backup for dry years. Genesis-owned
Genesis Energy
12%
Tiwai Point share of demand
Aluminium smelter is NZ's largest single electricity user. Contract secured to 2044
Chambers 2025
About this data: Statistics are compiled from official sources including MBIE, Stats NZ, Transpower, and the Electricity Authority. Energy data can vary slightly between sources due to different measurement periods and methodologies. This is an educational resource β not investment or policy advice. Last updated January 2026.