Sharechat Logo

MCY - Quarterly Operational Update

Thursday 16th October 2025

Text too small?

- RECORD JULY HYDRO GENERATION SINCE 1980 - and the 11th highest Q1 hydro generation.

- TAUPŌ STORAGE REMAINS ELEVATED - 70th percentile inflows providing a strong portfolio position for Q2.

- 20 YEAR PPA WITH VISY NOW IN EFFECT - 115GWh per annum over the initial 10-year term.

 

COMMENTARY

 

MARKET SUMMARY

 

National hydrological inflows of 87th percentile during the quarter were reflected in lower spot electricity prices averaging $134/MWh in Auckland. Forward prices have increased slightly at $182/MWh in Auckland for the financial years 2026 to 2028 as at 30 September 2025.

 

National demand was 3.5% higher for the quarter versus PCP primarily led by industrial demand, with New Zealand Aluminium Smelters returning to more normal production levels post last year's demand response.

 

ABOVE AVERAGE INFLOWS DELIVERED RECORD GENERATION IN JULY AND ROBUST TAUPŌ STORAGE HEADING INTO Q2

 

Five major weather events heading into the winter period delivered 291mm of rain over the Waikato catchment, resulting in 70th percentile inflows for the quarter. Hydro generation hit a record 566GWh (160GWh above average) in July, the highest July period since 1980. Mercury's Digital River, an AI-powered decision platform and digital twin, delivered over half of the 50GWh full year hydro generation uplift anticipated in the quarter. Total Q1 hydro generation was 1,389GWh (424GWh, 44% higher than PCP). Wind generation was lower at 471GWh (77GWh, 14% lower than PCP) due to lower-than-average wind speed in July and August. Geothermal generation for the quarter at 691GWh was 8GWh higher than PCP. Commercial & Industrial yield growth (physical and end-user CfDs) was $6/MWh higher for the quarter relative to PCP. Physical C&I yields were higher because of contract repricing to a sustained higher electricity forward curve, while End-User CfDs were lower from new long-term agreements. Mass market yield growth was $4/MWh higher versus PCP reflecting a 2.6% price uplift impacted by customers on legacy pricing.

 

20-YEAR PPA WITH VISY TO SUPPORT ITS NEW ZEALAND OPERATIONS HAS COMMENCED

 

Mercury entered into a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Visy to supply 115/GWh per annum of electricity over the initial 10-year term, with reduced volumes thereafter in the succeeding decade. The agreement supports Visy’s nationwide operations and provides price certainty whilst enabling the advancement of Mercury’s generation development strategy.

 

150,000 FIBRE CONNECTIONS MILESTONE REINFORCES MOMENTUM ON ADVANCING TELCO GROWTH STRATEGY

 

During the quarter, Mercury has surpassed 150,000 fibre connections nationwide, reflecting its focused telco cross-sell strategy. More than 94% of Mercury’s 163,000 broadband connections*1 are now using fibre-optic broadband as at the end of the quarter. A total of 31k telco connections were added relative to PCP. Telco revenue per connection decreased due to increased customer uptake of competitive acquisition offerings.

 

*1 Mercury connections quoted of 163,000 excludes 20,000 Now NZ connections.

 

[For Operational Statistics and Charts, please refer to the attached]

 

ENDS

 

 



  General Finance Advertising    

Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:
Your name:
Your email:
Not displayed to the public
Comment:
Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved.

Related News:

PGG Wrightson - Governance Update
CDC confirms new AI data centre contract
Devon Funds Morning Note - 14 October 2025
October 15th Morning Report
Scott Secures $44M Appliance Contracts Across Americas
October 14th Morning Report
Can reporting what a witness says ever be an attempt to "harass and attack"?
Rakon director appointment
October 13th Morning Report
BPG - Quarterly Report Investor Webinar