NZ renewables hits 80 percent

The What's My Number campaign has seen 40,000 consumers switch their provider

Renewable energy provided almost 80 percent of New Zealand’s electricity generation in the first six months of 2011, according to the Acting Minister of Energy and Resources, Hekia Parata.
“We’ve seen four wind farms, two geothermal generators and a gas-fired power station commissioned in the last few years,” Parata said.
“The electricity industry is buzzing with new construction projects across the country. Even more encouraging is the commitment to renewable energy. Wind, geothermal, hydro and marine projects make up the bulk of proposed new generation projects.”
Parata also said there were also good signs of competition in the retail energy sector, where the Government’s “What’s My Number” campaign had seen a record 40,000 New Zealanders swtich power providers since the end of May.
“Contact Energy offering a 22 percent electronic prompt payment discount to online customers is a great example of how competition can result in better offerings to consumers,” she said.