Meridian Energy monthly operating report for August 2020

Meridian Energy Limited's monthly operating report for the month of August 2020 can be found here. 

Highlights this month include:

• In the month to 14 September 2020, national hydro storage decreased from 70% to 56% of historical average
• South Island storage sat at 59% of average and North Island storage at 46% of average on 14 September 2020 Meridian’s August 2020 monthly total inflows were 92% of historical average
• Meridian’s Waitaki catchment storage at the end of August 2020 was 52% of historical average
• Storage in Meridian’s Waiau catchment was below average at the end of August 2020
• National electricity demand in August 2020 was 3.5% lower than the same month last year
• August 2020 was a warm dry month, the fourth warmest August on record. Rainfall was well below average, except for higher than average levels in Northland and North Auckland
• New Zealand Aluminium Smelter’s average load during August 2020 was 562MW
• Meridian’s New Zealand retail sales volumes in August 2020 were 7.5% higher than August 2019
• Compared to August 2019, Meridian saw increased sales in all segments: residential (+2.7%), small medium business (+8.0%) agricultural (+10.4%), large business (+15.6%) and corporate (+8.2%)

ENDS
Neal Barclay
Chief Executive
Meridian Energy Limited