National electricity demand may be up, but Meridian says New Zealanders are using less power.

Figures from their September operating report show demand is 2.3 percent higher than last year.

Meridian's Chief Financial Officer Paul Chambers says the increase is down to three factors - economic growth, positive net migration and an increase in irrigation load.

"The average New Zealander probably is using a little bit less electricity, because its the introduction of more efficiency and more efficient light bulbs and fridges and that sort of thing."