There are hopes the public will opt for sustainable alternatives, as the country sits on the edge of a gas shortage.

It comes as Genesis Energy reaches a five-year high in coal burning.

The company says it's due to low hydro storage, plant outages and the bleak outlook of longer term gas supplies because of the government's offshore exploration ban.

Sustainable Energy Association director Dwayne Cocker told Mike Hosking  solar is becoming more accessible to consumers.

He says in the past four years, the price of solar panels has roughly halved.

"Over 22,000 people have opted for solar energy, which is 90 per cent domestic. We have seen a significant price decrease in the last four years of solar panels, the price has dropped around 45 percent."

While hydro storage is now closer to average levels and gas supplies from Pohokura have been restored, wholesale power prices remain high.

Total retail power volume sold increased almost 5 per cent to 1,415 GWh, mostly due to increased sales to heavy industry.

Cocker believes the future of energy consumption is solar, with many businesses and operations across the country transferring to the product. 

"We are seeing more private businesses and school implementing solar panels. The government is predicting by 2050 we will need to double our energy. The government by 2035 wants to be 100% renewable."

New Zealand relies on the flexibility Genesis has to run the aging Rankine units when required – such as during dry periods or when other plants are unavailable

LISTEN ABOVE AS DWAYNE COCKER SPEAKS TO MIKE HOSKING