The development of cogeneration power plants following the deregulation of
the electricity supply industry in New Zealand is reviewed. The consequenti
al growth was due to the introduction of independent power producers in the
market to build new generating plants, mainly cogeneration and combined cy
cle to compete with state-owned electricity producers. Recent experience of
constructing different schemes of cogeneration in New Zealand and measures
to be adopted to meet future energy needs in the face of electricity consu
mption growth are also examined.