Renewable?

 I notice Meridian have been forced to withdraw an advertisement because the electricity they sell is not just the electricity the generate but part of the whole generated in New Zealand.

Fair enough but not a single comment on the claim by Meridian that their energy is 100% renewable.

In the fact that the rain keeps falling (particularly here), the wind keeps blowing and the sun keeps shining (elsewhere) I suppose it is.

Or is it?

Could Meridian keep generating without continued mining, continued oil extraction, continued international transport?

Having noted just how large the maintenance force for just the Waitaki Valley power generation scheme is I seriously doubt it. 

Wind, rain and sun don't seem to make replacement metal parts, plastic components or industrial lubricants let alone the things people need to build and maintain houses and homes.