Waitaki reconsenting receives final approval

Release






M e r i d i a n E n e r g y L i m i t e d ( A R B N 1 5 1 8 0 0 3 9 6 ) A c o m p a n y i n c o r p o r a t e d i n N e w Z e a l a n d
L e v e l 2 , 9 8 C u s t o m h o u s e Q u a y , W e l l i n g t o n 6 0 1 1

m e r i d i a n e n e r g y . c o . n z
Stock Exchange Listings NZX (MEL) ASX (MEZ)
Waitaki reconsenting receives final approval

16 June 2026


Meridian Energy has welcomed the Environment Court’s final decision to approve the operation of the
Waitaki Power Scheme for another 35 years.
As New Zealand’s largest and most flexible hydroelectricity power scheme, Waitaki plays a critical
role in the country’s electricity system and economy. It consists of six power stations with an installed
capacity of 1,553 MW - almost 30% of New Zealand’s installed hydro capacity. The terms of the
Environment Court decision enable Meridian to retain its current storage, operating conditions and
generation capacity.
Meridian Chief Executive Mike Roan says the decision is the right one for New Zealand.
“The Waitaki Power Scheme has long been the backbone of New Zealand’s electricity system, and
changing the way that it operates would have had enormous impacts for every New Zealander.
“Hydro generation is the cheapest and cleanest firming solution for New Zealand’s electricity system
and knowing we can continue to operate Waitaki for another 35 years provides certainty to our
business, the electricity system and the economy. It also means we can step up the work we’re doing
to explore opportunities to add more storage and generation to this scheme,” says Mike Roan.
Meridian will immediately implement the new consents, which include a significant increase in the
indigenous biodiversity management in the catchment delivered through the Department of
Conservation.
ENDS


Authorised for release by:

Jason Woolley
General Counsel and Company Secretary
Meridian Energy Limited


For investor relations queries, please contact:
Owen Hackston
Investor Relations Manager
021 246 4772
For media queries, please contact:
Lachlan Forsyth
Media & Content Manager
021 243 5342