By Stephen Wright

WELLINGTON, New Zealand--Meridian Energy Ltd. said it has begun a review of the ownership of its Australian electricity business that could result in a full or partial sale.

The company, one of New Zealand's main power generators, said financial advisory firm Lazard is conducting the review, which may take a number of months.

Meridian Energy Australia has 294 megawatts of renewable generation capacity and a further 150MW it could develop. Its retail electricity and gas business, Powershop, has about 180,000 customers.

Write to Stephen Wright at stephen.wright@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

06-07-21 1718ET