The Role of New Zealand in the Growth of Geothermal Technology in the Philippines

Abstract

The Philippines, in a span of 12 years from 1973 to 1985 received a total of NZ$21.5 million as grant for geothermal exploration from the New Zealand Government. The consultancy component of the grant was spent on the two 112.5-MW(e) power developments in Tongonan and Palinpinon, and other high- temperature fields in the Philippines. A major portion of its non-consultancy component was used for training the Filipino geothermists in various levels and disciplines, both in the Philippines and in New Zealand. The extensive interaction between the Filipinos and the New Zealand experts and the continuing technical training of the local geothermists resulted in a fast and effective transfer of geothermal technology. The New Zealand grant, therefore, is very instrumental in the sweeping development of the geothermal technology i n the Philippines, both i n terms of operations and education. Today, New Zealand continues to assist the Philippines in its. quest for energy self-reliance through the same scheme it has committed itself before.