Contact Energy reported a full-year net profit of $423 million, up 62 percent on its underlying earnings in the previous year, the New Zealand energy company said. The result was driven by the acquisition of Manawa Energy, a significant lift in renewable generation output, and operating free cash flow of $648 million, up 49 percent.

Contact also announced it is working with CDC to explore a potential new data centre near Stratford in Taranaki, to be powered by Contact's geothermal, wind and solar developments under a long-term contract, RNZ business (NZ) reports.