Geothermal Assessment of the Fiji Islands: an Overview

Abstract

This report attempts to summarise geothermal investigations in Fiji and come to some conclusions in regard to the utilisation potential of geothermal resources in that country. institutions involved and survey results are rised. Some dffferences in philosophy of approach and in methods of interpretation are apparent, but allstudies have introduced some aspects worth considering. model geothermometer for dilute waters provided excessively high temperature estimates. The concl sions reached in this report are that the Savusavu area of Vanua Levu has the greatest potential for utilisation, with reservoir temperature of which could produce by a binary system. ternatively, substantial direct heat is at i o n potential exists such as for drying o r freezing plants. The next greatest potential lies in small scale direct utilisation of a fairly extensive reservoir in the Labasa area. Geothermal systems on V i t i Levu and other localities within the Fiji group are indicated to be of low throughput with subsurface temperatures of 90-115?C. Utilisation of such systems is limited to very small scale use in this environment.