Genesis Energy Limited

History

Genesis Energy began business on 1 April 1999, after the reform of the New Zealand electricity market and the breakup of the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand (ECNZ). It took over the Huntly Power Station, Tongariro Power Scheme and Waikaremoana Hydro Scheme from ECNZ, and the Hau Nui Wind Farm and the Kourarau Hydro Scheme from Wairarapa Electricity. It also inherited the retail arms of Powerco, Central Power and Wairarapa Electricity, while Powerco and Central Power concentrated on electricity distribution (the distribution arm of Wairarapa Electricity merged with Powerco on the same day).

During 2000 to 2002 Genesis Energy purchased several electricity and gas retailing entities, following changes to laws governing the electricity industry. These included electricity retail businesses of Todd Energy, and electricity and gas customers from NGC (now Vector Limited) and Energy Online.

In September 2013, the company announced a change of name from Genesis Power Limited to Genesis Energy Limited.

On 17 April 2014, the National Government sold a 49% stake in Genesis Energy through an Initial Public Offering at NZ$1.55 per share.

In August 2015, CEO Albert Brantley announced he would retire from seven years in the role by June 2016. Genesis Energy named Marc England as the next CEO in December 2015. Marc England began his role as Chief Executive on 2 May 2016.

Power stations

Genesis Energy owns and operates a diverse portfolio of assets that includes hydroelectic, thermal and wind generation.

Genesis Energy operates three hydroelectic generating stations on the (361.8 MW) Tongariro Power Scheme – Rangipo (120 MW) Tokaanu (240 MW) and Mangaio (1.8 MW). The company also operates the (138 MW) Lake Waikaremoana hydro scheme including the Tuai (60 MW), Kaitawa (36 MW) and Piripaua (42 MW) stations.

On 1 June 2011, Genesis Energy purchased Tekapo A (27 MW) and B (160 MW) hydroelectric power stations from Meridian Energy.

Genesis Energy operates the Huntly Power Station, a (953 MW) coal- and gas-fired thermal plant on the Waikato River. In addition to two gas/coal-fired generating units, Huntly has a 50 MW open-cycle gas turbine unit, and a (403 MW) combined cycle gas turbine commissioned in June 2007 as a NZ$500 million project.

The first of the four coal-fired units at the Huntly Power Station was taken out of service in late 2012. A second unit was placed into long-term storage in December 2013 and permanently retired in June 2015.

The company also operates the (7.3 MW) Hau Nui windfarm in the North Island.

Castle Hill

Genesis Energy has resource consents for a wind farm at Castle Hill, 20 km north-east of Masterton in the northern Wairarapa. It is planning up to 286 turbines over a 30 km² (12 sq mi) area, with a total installed capacity of up to 860 MW and potentially generating over 2000 GWh per year.

Rodney

Genesis Energy has resource consent for the 480 MW Rodney Power Station, a planned gas fired combined cycle power station midway between Helensville and Kaukapakapa.

Slopedown Wind Farm

In 2010, Genesis Energy purchased the Slopedown wind from Wind Prospect CWP Ltd. It is 15 km east of Wyndham. Genesis Energy has not yet applied for resource consents.

Schoolgen

Genesis Energy began its Schoolgen programme in 2006 to teach students about solar power, renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Schoolgen program has created extensive teaching resources, including eBooks that are free for any school in New Zealand. It has also provided 92 New Zealand schools with either a 2, 4 or 6 kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) solar panel system, at no cost to the schools. The largest solar array on a Schoolgen school is 16 kilowatts on Vauxhall School in Auckland. The PV system allows these schools to generate a portion of their electricity from the sun while also teaching students about solar energy.

Whio Forever Project

Genesis Energy has partnered with the New Zealand Department of Conservation to help save the endangered native whio or blue duck. The Whio Forever Project includes a national recovery plan that will double the number of fully operational secure breeding sites throughout New Zealand and boost pest control efforts.

Graeme Dingle Foundation

Genesis Energy has teamed up with the Graeme Dingle Foundation (previously known as Foundation for Youth Development) to support the roll out of their Kiwi Can programme in three Huntly primary schools. The foundation's Kiwi Can programme teaches primary school children life skills, values, and self-confidence so they can grow up with a positive outlook.

Curtain Bank

Genesis Energy is the major sponsor of the Wellington Curtain Bank and the Christchurch Curtain Bank. The curtain banks take donated second-hand curtains or fabric and re-cut and line them for distribution to households in need. This helps households in saving money on their energy bills and to create warmer, healthier homes.

Other developments

Energy Online

Genesis Energy purchased Energy Online in December 2002 from the Newcall Group Limited. After continued growth Energy Online now services 70,000 customers with a primary focus on retailing energy services to an expanding customer base in the North Island.

Infogen

Genesis energy retailed internet services to its customers through its Infogen service. The service was outsourced and provided by Orcon until it was purchased by Orcon in 2009.