Our Market Operations Weekly Report contains the latest information about the electricity market, including security of supply, wholesale price trends and system capacity.
It is published every Tuesday. Click here to receive the report via email every week.
If you have any comments or questions please contact the Market Operations Team at [email protected].
Latest Report / More Information
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Current Storage Positions
Overview
New Zealand hydro storage has decreased from 103% to 100% of the historic mean for this time of year. In line with this, renewable generation decreased to 89% of the weekly generation mix.
This week’s insight looks at an example of solar generation curtailment and dispatch tiebreaker.
Security of Supply and Capacity
Energy
National hydro storage has decreased to 100% of the seasonal mean at the end of last week. South Island hydro storage decreased from 97% to 94% of the historic mean, and North Island storage increased from 173% to 180%.
Capacity
Residuals were healthy with the lowest residual of 954 MW occurring during the morning of Wednesday 25 March.
The N-1-G margins in the NZGB forecast are healthy through to mid May. Within seven days we monitor these more closely through the market schedules. The latest NZGB report is available on the NZGB website.
Electricity Market Commentary
Weekly Demand
Total demand slightly decreased from 749 GWh to 748 GWh for the week, and is in line with average demand at this time of year over the past three years. The highest demand peak of 5,460 MW occurred at 9:30am on Tuesday 24 March.
Weekly Prices
The average wholesale electricity spot price at Ōtāhuhu last week was $179/MWh, decreasing from $198/MWh the week prior. Wholesale prices peaked at $276/MWh at Ōtāhuhu at 4:30pm on Wednesday 25 March.
Generation Mix
Wind generation increased from 5% to 7% of the mix. Hydro generation decreased to 57% of the mix, from 61% the week prior. Thermal generation increased to its yearly average of 9% of the mix. Geothermal was at 24% of the mix and solar contributed to 1% of the generation mix.
HVDC
HVDC flow last week was predominantly northward with the exception of some brief periods of overnight low southward flow. These periods coincided with periods of high wind generation and lower North Island demand. In total, 57 GWh was transferred north and just 5 GWh was transferred south.
Surveys and Engagement
We have opened our Annual System Operator Participant Survey to provide an opportunity for participants to set out their expectations and help us understand how we are performing the System Operator service. If you have not received the survey but would like to have your say, you can complete it here. The survey closes 17 April 2026.