Low Hydro Storage Forces New Zealand to Boost Fossil Fuel Power Generation

Low hydro storage following months of dry weather has forced power generators in New Zealand to boost fossil fuel electricity output by 67% so far this year, according to data from energy think tank Ember. As hydro storage slumped this year, hydropower generation fell to the lowest level in about a decade, per the data reported by Reuters columnist Gavin Maguire. At the same time, power generation from the backup coal and gas power stations jumped by 67% between January and July 2024 compared to the same period last year. Hydropower is the single…