Regional Development and Resources Minister Shane Jones announced the funding as the project moves toward drilling what is expected to be the country’s first superhot geothermal well at the Rotokawa Geothermal Field near Taupō.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment will deliver the project in partnership with Mercury NZ and Tauhara North No.2 Trust, while New Zealand-owned Todd Energy has been selected as the preferred drilling contractor.
Jones said the project had now reached a significant milestone.
“We now have a credible site, expert partners, strong oversight, and a programme that is technically sound and internationally connected,” he said.
The newly released funding will support pre-drilling work and the drilling of a deep exploratory well. This includes securing specialist equipment, engaging contractors and completing the work required to safely drill and test the well.
“Government support is critical to getting this pioneering high-risk but high-reward activity underway,” Jones said.
The project is targeting superhot geothermal fluids located between four and five kilometres beneath the earth’s surface, roughly twice the depth of conventional geothermal wells. Researchers believe the resource could contain around three times the energy of traditional geothermal systems if it can be successfully harnessed.
The first phase of the project, funded through an initial $5 million allocation from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, has now been completed. That work involved designing the first of three planned wells and assessing specialist materials capable of operating under the extreme temperatures and pressures expected at such depths.
Jones said New Zealand was building on its long history as a geothermal pioneer and was working closely with international partners, including Iceland, which is pursuing similar superhot drilling projects.
“We are working closely with other countries, including Iceland, which is drilling its own superhot wells. This knowledge-sharing is critical when we are operating at the edge of what is technologically possible,” he said.
If successful, the project could significantly expand New Zealand’s geothermal energy potential while strengthening expertise within the country’s energy sector.
“This project, if we succeed, will strengthen our national capability and energy resilience, and deliver long-term regional benefits,” Jones said.
He described the initiative as an important investment in future energy security, adding: “The Crown must assume leadership for energy security. This project is a critical step forward in terms of long-term security.”
Jones said the programme would help develop the skills, technology and knowledge needed to access what he described as a potentially vast source of clean energy.
“This is the groundwork for future unlimited, clean, and affordable energy,” he said.
Daily Telegraph New Zealand (DTNZ) is an independent news website, first published in October 2021. - where this article was sourced.
Jones said the project had now reached a significant milestone.
“We now have a credible site, expert partners, strong oversight, and a programme that is technically sound and internationally connected,” he said.
The newly released funding will support pre-drilling work and the drilling of a deep exploratory well. This includes securing specialist equipment, engaging contractors and completing the work required to safely drill and test the well.
“Government support is critical to getting this pioneering high-risk but high-reward activity underway,” Jones said.
The project is targeting superhot geothermal fluids located between four and five kilometres beneath the earth’s surface, roughly twice the depth of conventional geothermal wells. Researchers believe the resource could contain around three times the energy of traditional geothermal systems if it can be successfully harnessed.
The first phase of the project, funded through an initial $5 million allocation from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, has now been completed. That work involved designing the first of three planned wells and assessing specialist materials capable of operating under the extreme temperatures and pressures expected at such depths.
Jones said New Zealand was building on its long history as a geothermal pioneer and was working closely with international partners, including Iceland, which is pursuing similar superhot drilling projects.
“We are working closely with other countries, including Iceland, which is drilling its own superhot wells. This knowledge-sharing is critical when we are operating at the edge of what is technologically possible,” he said.
If successful, the project could significantly expand New Zealand’s geothermal energy potential while strengthening expertise within the country’s energy sector.
“This project, if we succeed, will strengthen our national capability and energy resilience, and deliver long-term regional benefits,” Jones said.
He described the initiative as an important investment in future energy security, adding: “The Crown must assume leadership for energy security. This project is a critical step forward in terms of long-term security.”
Jones said the programme would help develop the skills, technology and knowledge needed to access what he described as a potentially vast source of clean energy.
“This is the groundwork for future unlimited, clean, and affordable energy,” he said.
Daily Telegraph New Zealand (DTNZ) is an independent news website, first published in October 2021. - where this article was sourced.
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