Wellington, Sept 15 NZPA - Electricity generation from coal fell 60 percent in the June quarter from the same quarter last year as geothermal generation rose to record levels, according to the New Zealand Energy Quarterly.

A total of 10,831GWh of electricity was generated in the June quarter, of which 73 percent was from renewable generation.

More than 13 percent of total was generated from geothermal during the quarter, which is a record. Geothermal generation was up 23 percent from the same quarter last year.

"Contributing to this high level of renewable electricity generation was the 132MW Nga Awa Purua geothermal power station, which officially opened in May," the publication produced by the Ministry of Economic Development said.

Hydro generation provided 55 percent of electricity in the quarter, which is typical for the time of year with normal lake levels.

Electricity generation emissions during the June quarter were the lowest for a June quarter since 2000 because of the drop in generation from coal.

During this quarter New Zealand's electricity generation produced 1556kt of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. This was 20 percent lower than the same quarter in 2009.

Gas production was 5 percent higher than last year in the June quarter mostly because the Kupe gas field came online in December. The Maui and Pohokura fields continue to supply New Zealand with over two-thirds of its gas demand, despite production from the Maui field decreasing by around 80 percent since 2002.

Gas flaring was down 24 percent in the June quarter on the same quarter a year ago.

"This decrease can be attributed to reduced flaring at the offshore Tui and Maari oil field platforms. This reduction in flaring could be a consequence of an increase in own use due to more gas being consumed on the Maari platform to power facilities," the quarterly said.