Country energy profile · New Zealand · 2025
What percentage of New Zealand’s energy comes from fossil fuels?
In 2025, fossil fuels supplied 49.5% of New Zealand’s total energy. Oil is its largest single source. That compares with a world average of 86.2%.
Oil 34.4%, natural gas 10.5%, coal 4.6% · non-fossil 50.5%.
Source: Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy 2025 data. Site updated August 13, 2026.
New Zealand energy mix, 2025
Share of total primary energy by source
Key facts
| Fossil-fuel share | 49.5% |
| World average | 86.2% |
| Main fossil fuel | Oil |
| Change since 2010 | -12.8 pts |
| Fossil energy per person | 88.7 GJ |
| CO₂ per person | 5.9 t |
| Fossil share of electricity | — |
| World rank, fossil energy used | #65 of 80 |
Is New Zealand getting less dependent on fossil fuels?
Fossil-fuel share of total energy since 1965, with the absolute amount of fossil fuel used. Share and volume can move in opposite directions.
Fossil share vs. consumption
Left axis: % of primary energy · Right axis: exajoules (EJ)
Oil vs. gas vs. coal in New Zealand
Consumption by fuel, 1965–2025
Exajoules (EJ) per year
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of New Zealand's energy comes from fossil fuels?
In 2025, fossil fuels supplied about 49.5% of New Zealand's total primary energy: oil 34.4%, natural gas 10.5% and coal 4.6%. The world average is 86.2%.
What is New Zealand's main energy source?
New Zealand's largest fossil fuel is oil. Non-fossil sources make up 50.5% of its energy.
Is New Zealand reducing its dependence on fossil fuels?
Since 2010, New Zealand's fossil-fuel share of energy has fallen by 12.8 percentage points, to 49.5%.
Compare with other countries
Source: Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy, 2025 data (annual series back to 1965). See methodology.