Monthly Operating Report
March 2024
March highlights
In the month to 15 April 2024, national hydro storage increased from 93% to 102% of historical average
South Island storage increased to 102% of average and North Island storage decreased to 109% of average by 15 April 2024
Meridian's March 2024 monthly total inflows were 67% of historical average
Waiau catchment inflows in March 2024 were 95% of historical average
Meridian's Waitaki catchment water storage at the end of
March 2024 was 78% of historical average
Following significant rainfall in the second week of April 2024, Waitaki storage is now approaching average
Water storage in Meridian's Waiau catchment was 113% of average at the end of March 2024
National electricity demand in March 2024 was +3.4% higher than the same month last year
March 2024 was the coldest March in 12 years with temperatures below average for most of the country. Below normal rainfall occurred in most regions, with above average rainfall in Waikato, Fiordland and Southland.
New Zealand Aluminium Smelter's average load during March 2024 was 568MW
Meridian's retail sales volumes in March 2024 were +6.7% higher than March 2023
Compared to March 2023, segment sales increased in residential +3.9%, large business +7.3% and agriculture +63.0% with decreases in small medium business -0.9% and corporate -4.9%
16 APRIL 2024 | MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT FOR MARCH 2024 | 2
Q3 highlights
Meridian's Q3 total inflows were 95% of historical average, +22% higher than Q3 last year
Meridian's Waitaki catchment water storage at the end of Q3 was -33% lower than Q3 last year
Compared to Q3 last
year, Meridian's generation was +10.9% higher at a +34.8% higher average price
Electricity futures prices rose across the curve during Q3
New Zealand Aluminum Smelter's sales volumes in Q3 were slightly higher than Q3
last year
National electricity demand in Q3 was +4.3% higher than Q3 last year
Summer 2024 was warm overall and dry for many parts of the country, with above normal rainfall in the central North Island and western and southern parts of the South Island
NIWA's autumn 2024 outlook suggests easing El Niño
conditions, with normal or above normal rainfall likely in the west of the South Island
During the quarter, Meridian made calls on volume under the swaption agreement with Nova and the 2023-24 demand response agreement with NZAS
At the end of Q3, Meridian's customer numbers were +2.2% higher than the same time last year
Compared to Q3 last year, Meridian's retail sales volumes were +8.2% higher at a +6.1% higher average price
Sales increased in all segments
Compared to Q3 last year, total operating costs were +9.9% higher
Compared to Q3 last year, total capital expenditure was +8.0% higher. Spend this quarter largely consisted of Harapaki and Ruakākā BESS construction
16 APRIL 2024 | MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT FOR MARCH 2024 | 3
Market data
- National electricity demand in March 2024 was +3.4% higher than the same month last year
- March 2024 was the coldest March in 12 years with temperatures below average for most of the country. Below normal rainfall occurred in most regions, with above average rainfall in Waikato, Fiordland and Southland.
- Demand in the last 12 months was +1.4% higher than the preceding 12 months
- New Zealand Aluminium Smelter's average load during March 2024 was 568MW
- 12-monthaverage switching rate of customers changing retailers but not moving ("trader" switch) was 6.1% at the end of February 2024
- 12-monthaverage switching rate of customers moving and changing retailers
("move-in" switch) was 12.8% at the end of
February 2024
NATIONAL DEMAND
GWh
4,200
4,000
3,800
3,600
3,400
3,200
3,000
2,800
2,600
Jan Feb Mar | Apr May | Jun | Jul | Aug Sep | Oct Nov | Dec | |||||||||
Range (2014-2023) | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |||||||||
Source: Electricity Authority (reconciled demand)
MARKET ICP SWITCHING (ALL RETAILERS)
12 month average
15%
13%
11%
9%
7%
5%
Feb 19 Aug 19 Feb 20 Aug 20 Feb 21 Aug 21 Feb 22 Aug 22 Feb 23 Aug 23 Feb 24
Industry Move-in Switches | Industry Trader Switches | |
Source: Electricity Authority |
16 APRIL 2024 | MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT FOR MARCH 2024 | 4
Market data
- Near-termASX electricity futures increased, with longer dated prices staying steady during March 2024
- National storage increased from 93% of average on 11 March 2024 to 102% of average on 15 April 2024
- South Island storage increased to 102% of historical average by 15 April 2024. North Island storage decreased to 109% of average
OTAHUHU ASX FUTURES SETTLEMENT PRICE
$/MWh
260
240
220
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
2024 2024 2024 2024 2025 2025 2025 2025 2026 2026 2026 2026 2027 2027 2027 2027
30 June 2023 | 30 November 2023 | 29 December 2023 | ||
31 January 2024 | 29 February 2024 | 28 March 2024 | ||
Source: ASX |
NATIONAL HYDRO STORAGE (15 April 2024)
GWh 5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
Jan Feb Mar | Apr May Jun | Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec | |||||
Average storage (91yr) | 1992 | 2004 | |||||
2008 | 2012 | 2019 | |||||
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |||||
Source: NZX
BENMORE ASX FUTURES SETTLEMENT PRICE
$/MWh 260
240
220
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
2024 2024 2024 2024 2025 2025 2025 2025 2026 2026 2026 2026 2027 2027 2027 2027
30 June 2023 | 30 November 2023 | 29 December 2023 | ||
31 January 2024 | 29 February 2024 | 28 March 2024 | ||
Source: ASX |
16 APRIL 2024 | MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT FOR MARCH 2024 | 5
Meridian operating information
Meridian retail
▪ Meridian's customer connection numbers |
decreased -0.1% during March 2024 and |
have increased +2.8% since June 2023 |
▪ Retail sales volumes in March 2024 were |
MERIDIAN'S CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS
ICPs ('000) | FY24 Meridian NI | FY24 Meridian SI | ||||||||||||||||||||
400 | FY23 Meridian NI | FY23 Meridian SI | ||||||||||||||||||||
300 | 117 | 117 | 118 | 118 | 118 | 117 | 119 | 117 | 120 | 118 | 121 | 118 | 122 | 118 | 122 | 118 | 122 | 118 | ||||
FY24 Powershop FY23 Powershop
117 | 117 | 117 | ||
+6.7% higher than March 2023 |
▪ Compared to March 2023, segment sales |
increased in residential +3.9%, large |
business +7.3% and agriculture +63.0%, |
200
100
0
125 126 125 126 125 126 125 126 126 126 127 126 127 126 127 125 127 125
122 123 122 123 122 123 122 123 123 123 124 123 124 123 124 122 124 122
125 | 125 | 125 |
122 | 122 | 122 | ||
with decreases in small medium business |
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June
-0.9% and corporate -4.9% |
▪ To date this financial year, retail sales |
volumes are +4.6% higher than the same |
period last year |
▪ This reflects increased segment sales in |
residential +0.5%, small medium business |
+1.8%, large business +8.0%, agricultural |
+18.0% and corporate +2.2% |
MERIDIAN'S RETAIL SALES VOLUME*
GWh | FY24 Residential | FY24 SMB | FY24 Agri | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
900 | FY24 Corporate | FY23 Residential | FY23 SMB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
FY23 Large Bus | FY23 Corporate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
337 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
326 | 332 | 331 | 326 | 338 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
334 | 320 | 323 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
318 | 331 | 332 | 318 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
600 | 325 | 319 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
308 | 320 | 355 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
61 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
60 | 61 | 59 | 54 | 40 | 52 | 51 | 49 | 53 | 54 | |||||||||||||||||||
76 | 53 | 51 | 50 | 48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
53 | 75 | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
53 | 134 | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
112 | 87 | 150 150 184 141 210 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
120 | 176 186 | 158 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: Meridian
FY24 Large Bus FY23 Agri
356 | 327 |
320
54 56
4848
68
*excludes volumes sold to New Zealand Aluminium Smelters and CFDs
300 | 97 |
154 155 161 152 | 146 | |||||
141 141 | 134 | 145 | 134 | |||
132 128 | 127 125 | 129 121 130 | 135 | |||
119 |
76
141
123
148
200 | 207 201 192 | 155 | 165 144 | 152 | 124 119 | 123 119 119 115 112 106 127 122 |
0 |
130 | 157 | 180 |
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June
Source: Meridian
16 APRIL 2024 | MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT FOR MARCH 2024 | 6
Meridian inflows and storage
- March 2024 monthly inflows were 67% of historical average
- Waiau catchment inflows in March 2024 were 95% of historical average, 2% higher than the same month last year
- To date this financial year, inflows are 95% of historical average
- Meridian's Waitaki catchment water storage moved from 1,628GWh to 1,452GWh during March 2024
- Waitaki water storage at the end of March 2024 was 78% of historical average and 33% lower than the same time last year
- Following significant rainfall in the second week of April 2024, Waitaki storage is now approaching average
- Water storage in Meridian's Waiau catchment was 113% of average at the end of March 2024
Meridian operating information
MERIDIAN'S COMBINED CATCHMENT INFLOWS
GWh 14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
Financial | 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 | ||||
year | Mar YTD | 90 year average | |||
Source: Meridian |
MERIDIAN'S WAITAKI STORAGE
GWh
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
1-Jan | 1-Mar | 1-May | 1-Jul | 1-Sep | 1-Nov | 1-Dec | ||||
Average 1979- | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | |||||||
2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |||||||
Source: Meridian
16 APRIL 2024 | MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT FOR MARCH 2024 | 7
Meridian operating information
Meridian generation
▪ Meridian's generation in March 2024 was |
+11.9% higher than the same month last |
year, reflecting higher hydro generation |
and higher wind generation |
▪ To date this financial year, Meridian's |
generation is +0.6% higher than the same |
period last year, reflecting lower hydro |
generation and higher wind generation |
▪ The average price Meridian received for its |
generation in March 2024 was +53.6% |
MERIDIAN'S GENERATION
GWh
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
Jul Aug Sep | Oct Nov Dec | Jan Feb Mar Apr | |||
FY24 Hydro | FY24 Wind | FY23 Hydro | |||
May Jun
FY23 Wind
Source: Meridian
higher than the same month last year |
▪ |
MERIDIAN'S AVERAGE GENERATION PRICE*
$/MWh
The average price Meridian paid to supply |
customers in March 2024 was +43.3% |
higher than the same month last year |
▪ To date this financial year, the average |
price Meridian received for its generation |
is +91.7% higher than the same period last |
year and the average price paid to supply |
customers is +76.5% higher |
250 | |||||||||||
200 | |||||||||||
150 | 133 | ||||||||||
111 | 111 | 108 | |||||||||
100 | 95 | ||||||||||
72
56
50 40
0
Jul Aug Sep Oct FY24 FY23
130
33
Nov
205 | |||||||||
189 | |||||||||
171 | 146 | ||||||||
136 | 134 | ||||||||
117 | |||||||||
78
16
Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
74
58
May Jun
*price received for Meridian's physical generation | Source: Meridian |
16 APRIL 2024 | MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT FOR MARCH 2024 | 8
Monthly operating information
Meridian operating information
MARCH | ||||||||
2024 | ||||||||
MONTH | ||||||||
New Zealand contracted sales | ||||||||
Residential sales volume (GWh) | 127 | |||||||
Small medium business sales volume (GWh) | 134 | |||||||
Agricultural sales volume (GWh) | 158 | |||||||
Large business sales volume (GWh) | 54 | |||||||
Corporate and industrial sales volume (GWh) | 338 | |||||||
Retail contracted sales volume (GWh) | 811 | |||||||
Average retail contracted sales price | 1 | ($NZ/MWh) | $139.5 | |||||
NZAS sales volume (GWh) | 421 | |||||||
Financial contract sales volumes | 2 | (GWh) | 272 | |||||
Average wholesale & financial contracts sales price | 3 | ($NZ/MWh) | $74.1 | |||||
Retail customer supply volumes (GWh) | 850 | |||||||
Cost to supply retail customers ($NZ/MWh) | $213.8 | |||||||
Cost to supply wholesale customers ($NZ/MWh) | $202.5 | |||||||
Cost of financial contracts ($NZ/MWh) | $202.2 | |||||||
Total New Zealand customer connections | 4 | 373,332 | ||||||
MARCH 2023 MONTH
122 135 97 51 355 761 $134.3 426 190 $66.1 818 $151.5 $143.3 $125.3 365,260
FEBRUARY 2024 MONTH
112 130 186 53 326 806 $135.9 398 206 $68.8 851 $155.1 $136.4 $134.9 373,536
JANUARY 2024 MONTH
119 129 210 54 331 843 $136.4 426 275 $75.0 884 $201.4 $187.1 $181.8 372,604
9 MONTHS TO MARCH 2024
1,305 1,243 1,249 491 2,978 7,267 $138.7 3,770 2,516 $70.3 7,691 $158.3 $142.8 $140.0
9 MONTHS TO MARCH 2023
1,298 1,221 1,058 455 2,913 6,946 $128.8 3,759 2,109 $60.9 7,362 $89.6 $79.7 $81.0
See page 10 for footnotes
16 APRIL 2024 | MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT FOR MARCH 2024 | 9
Monthly operating information
Meridian operating information
MARCH | ||||||
2024 | ||||||
MONTH | ||||||
New Zealand generation | ||||||
Hydro generation volume (GWh) | 972 | |||||
Wind generation volume (GWh) | 134 | |||||
Total generation volume (GWh) | 1,106 | |||||
Average generation price | 5 | ($NZ/MWh) | $205.0 | |||
New Zealand hedging | ||||||
Hedging volume | 6 | (GWh) | 504 | |||
Hedging cost average price ($NZ/MWh) | $139.1 | |||||
Hedging spot revenue average price ($NZ/MWh) | $207.6 | |||||
Future contract close outs ($NZm) | -$1.5 |
MARCH 2023 MONTH
876 113 988 $133.5
450 $125.4 $136.1 -$0.9
FEBRUARY 2024 MONTH
962 127 1,089 $136.4
438 $131.9 $156.1 $0.0
JANUARY 2024 MONTH
1,010 106 1,116 $188.6
504 $127.4 $192.6 $2.1
9 MONTHS TO MARCH 2024
9,171 1,088 10,258 $143.4
4,306 $127.1 $152.9 $18.6
9 MONTHS TO MARCH 2023
9,267 932 10,198 $74.8
3,536 $118.6 $89.6 $45.0
See page 10 for footnotes
16 APRIL 2024 | MONTHLY OPERATING REPORT FOR MARCH 2024 | 10
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Disclaimer
Meridian Energy Limited published this content on 15 April 2024 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 15 April 2024 20:55:49 UTC.