New Zealand is nearing its goal of 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030 with generation reaching a record high.
The country achieved 91 percent renewable electricity generation in the June 2023 quarter, according to data released on Thursday by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). It is a 10 percent increase from the year prior.
"This is the highest renewable electricity generation percentage achieved for any June quarter since records began in 1980,” MBIE's Mike Hayward said.
Hayward said the quarter's high renewable figure was driven by high rainfall levels topping up hydro lakes. The completion of the Turitea wind farm also contributed to New Zealand's wind generation.
MBIE found hydro generation was up by 25.2 percent on the June 2022 quarter, while coal generation was down 71.7 percent and gas generation was down 45.7 percent compared to the same period last year.
This quarter also saw an increase in net gas production, up 9.4 percent, and a drop in industrial coal use, down 22.6 percent on the same quarter last year.
The Government has committed to reaching net zero for long-lived gases by 2050. It set a target that 50 percent of total energy consumption will come from renewable sources by 2035 and has an aspirational target of 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.
