Favourable hydro conditions see record high share of electricity generation from renewables

From October to December 2025, New Zealand set a record high of 96.4% of electricity generation coming from renewable sources.

Favourable hydro conditions and continued growth in utility scale solar were key contributors, sharply reducing reliance on natural gas and driving emissions from electricity generation to their lowest level on record, says MBIE Domains Manager Amapola Generosa.

The latest Energy Quarterly release from the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE) for the quarter to December 2025, reflects strong renewable electricity generation across the quarter.

“Hydro inflows were strong, which supported an 8% increase in hydro generation compared with the same quarter in 2024,” says Generosa.

“We also saw continued growth from new grid scale solar farms connecting, which lifted solar generation by more than 70% year on year.