2020 New Zealand Country Update

Abstract

New Zealand has been in a period of consolidation in the geothermal electricity sector over the last 5 years following a period of rapid growth in the utilization of geothermal energy in the prior 10 years. Two smaller power plants are in the process of being constructed or recently commissioned. At Ngāwha a 25 MWe plant is in the early construction phase and at Kawerau the 25 MWe Te Ahi O Maui plant was commissioned in September 2018. There is in total over 1000 MWe of installed geothermal electricity generation capacity which is typically contributing about 18% of national electricity in an electricity system dominated by renewable generation. New Zealand currently produces about 80% of its electricity from renewable sources and the new Labour-led coalition government is strategically targeting 100% renewable generation by 2035, and is introducing a Carbon Zero Bill in 2019. New Zealand's geothermal resources will have a key part to play as the country moves to this new future. There is a developing emphasis on the direct use of geothermal energy. Both the New Zealand Geothermal Association and the Bay of Connections have strategies and implementation activities that are both increasing employment in direct use geothermal businesses and fostering increased utilisation of geothermal energy directly. The Taupō Volcanic Zone is the area that is the focus of this activity currently. There has been activity in the geothermal heat pump sector with a number of commercial facilities using aquifer energy systems now operational in Christchurch as part of the rebuilding activity that has occurred post the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. New Zealand is entering a growth period in direct geothermal heat use, including geothermal heat pumps. New Zealand is at the cutting edge of geothermal technology, implementation and management. The paper identifies geothermal expertise that New Zealand has that is contributing internationally to the uptake of geothermal utilisation. The paper discusses the developments in the New Zealand geothermal sector since the update presented as part of the 2015 World Geothermal Congress in Melbourne, Australia. The paper includes the tables requested by the International Geothermal Association and the text discusses direct heat utilisation, electricity generation, environmental and regulatory aspects, personnel, education, training and investment.