Meridian Energy
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersChristchurch, New Zealand
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
Meridian Energy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Meridian Energy
- Legal name
- Meridian Energy Limited
- Website
- https://meridianenergy.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Meridian Energy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Renewable Electricity Generation and Retail
- NAICS
- Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Wind Electric Power Generation (221115), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Onshore Wind Power Generation (Utility-Scale) (EUACAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Resilience & Backup Power Solutions (Critical Facilities, Islanding) (EUAMAJAK), Distributed & Commercial Renewable O&M (Rooftop Solar, C&I Wind, Small Hydro) (EUAMAGAB)
Keywords
Where Meridian Energy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Christchurch
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices3 records
Markets served
Meridian Energy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Electricity Generation and Retail: Meridian generates electricity from wind, hydro, and solar sources and retails electricity directly to residential, business, and agricultural customers across New Zealand. This is their primary revenue stream.
- EV Charging Network (Zero): Meridian operates and expands the Zero EV charging network, providing public EV charging infrastructure funded partially through government co-funding arrangements.
- Solar Buy-back Programs: Meridian purchases excess electricity generated by residential customers with solar installations, offering competitive buy-back rates (15c/kWh standard, 24c/kWh winter peak).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Freedom Plan - Open term residential plan with solar buy-back option |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Night Saver Plan - Time-of-use residential pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | EV Plan - Fixed rate plan for electric vehicle owners |
| Subscription | Monthly | Bach Plan - Fixed rate for secondary residential properties |
| Subscription | Monthly | Simple Flexi Plan - Business plan for small-to-medium customers |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Solar Buy-back - Export payments for solar customers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Meridian Energy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Meridian Energy generates electricity from 100% renewable sources (wind, hydro, and solar) and retails it directly to residential, business, and agricultural customers across New Zealand. It operates seven hydro power stations (including Manapōuri and the Waitaki Hydro Scheme), nine wind farms, and is developing solar-plus-storage assets and the Zero EV charging network.
Product overview
Meridian Energy is New Zealand's largest electricity retailer and renewable energy generator, operating as a state-owned vertically integrated energy company. The product portfolio spans three layers: (1) Retail electricity supply with multiple plans for residential, business, and agribusiness customers — including Freedom Plan, Night Saver Plan, EV Plan, Bach Plan, Simple Flexi Plan, Everyday Economy, and Small Business Time of Use — plus add-on modules such as Smart Hot Water demand management, Rural Supply Partner billing integration, Deferred Winter Payment for dairy farmers, LevelPay budget averaging, and a Solar Buy-Back Programme; (2) Renewable generation assets including seven hydro power stations (Manapōuri, Waitaki Scheme), nine wind farms (Harapaki, Te Uku, Te Āpiti, West Wind, Mill Creek, Brooklyn, White Hill, Ross Island), and solar farms (Ruakākā, Bunnythorpe); and (3) EV charging infrastructure through the Zero EV Charging Network (200+ charge points, expanding to 2,500+ via a $110M co-funding deal). Meridian also provides digital account management tools (web app, new mobile app for iOS/Android), community programmes (Kākāpō Recovery, KidsCan, Forever Forests), and education resources (Whare Ako), all powered by 100% renewable generation from wind, water, and sun.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Zero EV Charging Network: Meridian's EV charging network brand offering public charging points across New Zealand.
Products and services
- Freedom Plan Open-term residential electricity plan offering flexible pricing with competitive solar buy-back rates (15c/kWh standard; 24c/kWh winter peak export) for customers with solar generation equipment.
- Night Saver Plan Residential plan with time-of-use pricing that rewards customers for shifting electricity usage to off-peak nighttime hours, requiring a communicating smart meter.
- EV Plan (Fixed Rate) Fixed-rate residential plan designed for electric vehicle owners, requiring a communicating smart meter for half-hourly consumption data processing.
- Bach Plan (Fixed Rate) Fixed-rate plan for secondary residential properties (holiday homes), requiring a primary residential account with Meridian.
- Simple Flexi Plan Open-term pricing plan for small-to-medium business and agribusiness customers offering flexible terms and competitive rates.
- Everyday Economy Fixed Energy Plan Fixed energy pricing plan for business and agribusiness customers, offering predictable electricity costs based on expected consumption.
- Small Business Time of Use Plan Time-of-use pricing plan for small-to-medium business customers (under 50,000 kWh/year) on eligible networks with a communicating smart meter, with solar export buy-back available.
- Zero EV Charging Network Meridian's branded public EV charging network across New Zealand — one of the country's largest, with over 200 charge points deployed as of 2025, co-funded by government zero-interest loans, targeting 2,500+ additional chargers by 2030.
- Solar Buy-Back Programme Programme paying residential customers for electricity exported to the grid from their solar panels — standard rate of 15c/kWh and winter peak export rate of 24c/kWh on all open-term plans.
- LevelPay Budget-averaging payment plan for residential customers that spreads electricity costs evenly across the year via weekly, fortnightly, or monthly direct debit or card payments.
- Smart Hot Water Demand management add-on allowing Meridian to remotely control residential hot water cylinders (up to 8 hours/day) in exchange for a periodic bill credit, helping balance electricity grid demand.
- Deferred Winter Payment Billing arrangement for eligible Ruralco dairy farmers that defers winter electricity invoice payments (June–September) until after the spring milk production period (by 20 November).
- Meridian Mobile App New customer mobile application for iOS and Android, enabling account access via password-free login (email one-time link or 6-digit code), bill management, billing and payment, plan management, and automatic meter reading viewing.
Quantifiable outcome
- Lowers wholesale electricity prices by approximately 7%
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Meridian Energy
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Meridian Energy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Meridian Energy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ChargeNetcoreNew Zealand government signed co-funding agreement with ChargeNet and Meridian to invest over NZ$110 million in deploying more than 2,500 additional EV chargers nationwide. Government provides NZ$52.7 million in zero-interest loans while ChargeNet and Meridian contribute NZ$60 million in matched funding, effectively doubling NZ's existing public charging network with completion targeted by 2030.
- DXC TechnologycoreMeridian partnered with DXC Technology to replace legacy systems with a unified Oracle Cloud ERP platform, consolidating finance, procurement, and enterprise performance management into a single cloud-based environment. Implementation improved financial reporting, streamlined month-end processes, introduced stronger procurement discipline with a 'no PO, no pay' policy, and enabled executive and board-level reports within five days for over 200 project managers. DXC continues supporting Meridian through multi-year managed services.
- One NZminorOne NZ installed a rooftop solar system at its Christchurch data center in collaboration with Millennium Electrical and Meridian Energy. The 142-panel system generates up to 90kW of power and powers both the site and a nearby mobile network.
- Department of ConservationminorMeridian works with the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Ngāi Tahu to help fund research and initiatives for the Kākāpō Recovery Programme, which aims to take the endangered kākāpō off the endangered list.
- KidsCanminorMeridian is a principal partner of KidsCan, an organization providing practical hands-on assistance to thousands of children in schools across New Zealand. Meridian works with KidsCan to ensure kiwi kids have essentials for a better future.
- Antarctica New ZealandminorMeridian built the world's southernmost wind farm in partnership with Antarctica New Zealand. Located on Crater Hill on Ross Island, Antarctica, the three wind turbines supply renewable energy for New Zealand's Scott Base and its neighbour, the American base at McMurdo Station.
- Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement TrustminorMeridian partners with the Waiau River restoration trust for habitat-enhancement projects that improve the ecological health of the Waiau River.
- Ruralco (Ashburton Trading Society)coreRuralco/Farmlands is a rural supply partner enabling agricultural customers to pay their Meridian electricity bills through their rural supply cooperative account.
- Farmlands Co-operative Society LimitedcoreFarmlands is a rural supply partner enabling agricultural customers to pay their Meridian electricity bills through their rural supply cooperative account.
- PGG Wrightson LimitedcorePGG Wrightson is a rural supply partner enabling agricultural customers to pay their Meridian electricity bills through their rural supply cooperative account.
- RD1 Limited (Farm Source)coreFarm Source is a rural supply partner enabling agricultural customers to pay their Meridian electricity bills through their rural supply cooperative account.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Meridian Energy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mercury NZ: Mercury NZ is a New Zealand-listed renewable electricity generator and multi-product retailer with hydro and wind assets in the Waikato region. It is the most direct competitor to Meridian in NZ generation and retail, with overlapping hydro/wind portfolio and residential/business customer base.
- Contact Energy: Contact Energy is a New Zealand-listed integrated electricity generator and retailer with geothermal, hydro, wind, and natural gas peaker assets. Closely comparable to Meridian in vertical integration, customer segments (residential/business/agricultural), and NZ-only operating geography.
- Genesis Energy: Genesis Energy is a New Zealand state-owned integrated electricity generator-retailer with hydro, geothermal, and thermal (Huntly) assets. Comparable to Meridian in NZ market positioning, mixed renewable/thermal generation mix, government ownership (partial), and vertically integrated retail operations.
Emerging players
- Tilt Renewables: Tilt Renewables is an Australasian wind and solar developer with operational assets across Australia and New Zealand. Comparable to Meridian's wind generation segment, although it is a pure-generation developer rather than vertically integrated retailer.
Regional players
- Vector Limited: Vector Limited is a New Zealand-listed electricity distribution and gas transmission infrastructure operator. Comparable to Meridian's NZ infrastructure and distribution exposure, although Vector is primarily a wires operator rather than a generator-retailer.
Broad incumbents
- Infratil: Infratil is a New Zealand-listed infrastructure investment company with significant ownership in Mercury NZ and other energy assets. Comparable to Meridian as a major NZ energy investor and shareholder, with overlapping exposure to NZ renewable generation economics and capital allocation dynamics.
- AGL Energy: AGL Energy is an Australian-listed integrated electricity generator and retailer with coal, gas, hydro, and wind/solar assets. Comparable to Meridian's vertically integrated generation-retail model and transition away from fossil generation, although operating at much larger scale and across Australia.
- Origin Energy: Origin Energy is an Australian-listed integrated energy company with generation, retail, and natural gas/LNG operations. Comparable to Meridian's generator-retailer structure and renewable transition strategy, although substantially larger and more diversified across fuels and geographies.
- Iberdrola: Iberdrola is a global Spanish-listed renewable energy utility with significant onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro, and BESS assets. Comparable to Meridian's 100% renewable generation portfolio, hydro dominance, and growing battery storage investment thesis, although operating at global scale.
- NextEra Energy: NextEra Energy is a US-listed global leader in wind and solar generation with regulated utility operations through Florida Power & Light. Comparable to Meridian's wind/solar/storage development pipeline and vertically integrated utility model, although operating at much larger scale and across multiple US/Canadian markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Meridian Energy social profiles
Digital presenceMeridian Energy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Meridian Energy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Meridian Energy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Meridian Energy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Meridian Energy
What does Meridian Energy do?
Meridian Energy generates electricity from 100% renewable sources (wind, hydro, and solar) and retails it directly to residential, business, and agricultural customers across New Zealand. It operates seven hydro power stations (including Manapōuri and the Waitaki Hydro Scheme), nine wind farms, and is developing solar-plus-storage assets and the Zero EV charging network.
Is Meridian Energy a public or private company?
Meridian Energy is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Meridian Energy founded?
Meridian Energy was founded in 1999. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Meridian Energy based?
Meridian Energy is headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Meridian Energy make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Electricity Generation and Retail is the primary driver. The others are EV Charging Network (Zero) and solar Buy-back Programs.
Who are Meridian Energy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mercury NZ, Contact Energy and Genesis Energy. Tilt Renewables is listed as an emerging player. Vector Limited is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Infratil, AGL Energy, Origin Energy, Iberdrola and NextEra Energy.
Does Meridian Energy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Meridian Energy.
What industry is Meridian Energy in?
Meridian Energy's product category is Renewable Electricity Generation and Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUACAFAA, Onshore Wind Power Generation (Utility-Scale), with a secondary code of EUAMAJAK, Resilience & Backup Power Solutions (Critical Facilities, Islanding). Its NAICS code is 2211 and its SIC code is 4911.