Generation
[ Last Updated 24 January 2006 ]
The five major generating companies – three State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and two private sector companies – listed by generating market share are:
Some smaller generation exists, most of which is associated with major industrial processes ("cogeneration").
Generation companies own and operate power stations spread across the country. Most of New Zealand’s electricity is generated at remote locations and requires an efficient transmission system to transport it to the main demand centres. Around 40 sites supply electricity to the national grid. Some of the smaller scale generation is “embedded” and feeds directly into local distribution networks.
Approximately 60% of New Zealand's electricity is generated by hydro stations, with the balance from geothermal stations, gas, coal and oil-fired thermal stations, bio-mass plants and wind farms.
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