Pioneer Energy (previously known as Pioneer Generation) is a New Zealand electricity generation and retail company based in Alexandra, Otago. As of 2024 it owns and operates three wind farms and 18 hydroelectric power stations, with a combined capacity of 94.7MW. [1]
The company was formed as Central Electric in 1993 after the Energy Companies Act 1992 required the Otago Central Electric Power Board to reform into a commercial power company. [2] More reforms in 1998 required electricity companies nationally to split their lines and retail businesses; [3] Central Electric decided to retain the generation and retail assets, and rebranded as Pioneer Generation. [4]
In 2012 the company acquired industrial heat generator Energy For Industry from Meridian Energy. [5] [6]
In 2015 it teamed up with Buller Electricity to take over electricity retailer Pulse Energy. [7] [8] The same year it formed the Southern Generation Partnership as a joint venture with The Power Company and Electricity Invercargill. [9] In 2021 the partnership acquired three small North Island hydro-power stations. [10] In May 2024 it acquired the remainder of the partnership. [11] Southern Generation was rebranded as Pioneer Energy Renewables, with Buller Electricity taking a 24.2% stake. [12]
The company was initially 100% owned by the Central Lakes Trust on behalf on electricity consumers in the Central Otago and Queenstown-Lakes districts. The trust consists of three appointed and five elected trustees. Elections for the election positions are held every three years, with the most recent election being held in 2025. [13]
In June 2025 the company entered an equity partnership with Māori-led Tōtara Energy to fund further expansion, reducing the trust's ownership to 70%. [14] [15]
| Name | Type | Location | Capacity (MW) | Annual generation (average GWh) | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aniwhenua | Hydro | Bay of Plenty | 25 | 127 | 1980 |
| Flat Hill | Wind | Bluff, Southland | 6.8 | 2015 | |
| Fraser (Lower) | Hydro | Central Otago | 2.8 | 1956 | |
| Fraser (Upper) | Hydro | Central Otago | 8 | 2019 | |
| George | Hydro | Central Otago | 1 | 1924 | |
| Horseshoe Bend | Hydro | Central Otago | 4.3 | 1999 | |
| Horseshoe Bend | Wind | Central Otago | 2.3 | 1.9 | 2009 |
| Kowhai | Hydro | Central Otago | 1.9 | 2010 | |
| Mangapehi | Hydro | Waikato | 1.6 | 2008 | |
| Matawai | Hydro | Gisborne | 2 | 2009 | |
| Matiri | Hydro | Lake Matiri, Buller | 5 | 28 | 2020 |
| Mt Stuart | Wind | Manuka Creek, South Otago | 7.7 | 21 | 2012 |
| Oxburn/Glenorchy | Hydro | Queenstown-Lakes | 0.4 | 1968 | |
| Roaring Meg | Hydro | Cromwell, Central Otago | 4.3 | 30 | 1936 |
| Speedy's Road | Hydro | Waikato | 7.7 | 2011 | |
| Teviot Bridge | Hydro | Roxburgh, Central Otago | 1.1 | 1972 |
| Name | Type | Location | Projected capacity (MW) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jericho | Wind | Blackmount, Southland | 35 | Proposed |
| Kaihiku | Wind | Gore, Southland | 300 | Proposed |