Bringing geothermal back into the energy discussion in Papua New Guinea
Rabaul Caldera, Papua New Guinea (source: Reykjavik Geothermal)
Alexander Richter
24 Feb 2021
Lack of policy and additional exploratory work required hampers potential geothermal investments in Papua New Guinea.
An article published yesterday in Papua New Guinea aims to bring the topic of geothermal energy back on the table in the country.
A report created by the Mineral Resources Authority about geothermal energy prospects as potential source of energy in PNG highlighted the opportunities presented. Early historical research on potential geothermal resources were conducted 1960-1970 and the most recent studies by MRA 2009-2016.
Today, there are 55 known, identified and recorded geothermal sites. Of these sites, only seven regions have been mapped and sampled. The prospects identified are Talasea along the Willaumez Peninsula on New Britain Island, Kasiloli prospect at the active volcano of Pago on New Britain Island, the Silanga propsect also at the Pago Volcano on New Britain Island. Other prospects are Deidei on Fergusson Island, part of the D’Entrecasteaux Islands in Milne Bay Province, Rabaul at the active Tavurvur volcano and some other smaller prospects.
The resource potential is described as vast. With the operating geothermal power plant on Lihir Island, the high-temperature/ permeability options are proven. The plant was built in three phases with an initial 6 MW backpressure plant in 2001, 30 MW expansion with a single flash plant in 2005 (3 units) and a 20 MW Single Flash plant (2 units) added in 2007. Currently only 9 MW of the 30 MW plant and 2 MW of the 20 MW plant are operating, according to the Papua New Guinea country update for the World Geothermal Congress 2020+1.
With increased interest around 2016, things have been pretty much idle since then. In 2016 and again in 2020, the lack of policy for geothermal development was described as a key hurdle for the utilization of geothermal in PNG.
While a new regulatory and supervision scheme seems to be set up for renewable energy development in PNG, there are not concrete plans for a boost for geothermal energy development.
To develop the geothermal resources of PNG, “more exploratory work is required to collect additional information on the prospects already identified by MRA and others.”
Source: Post-Courier, PNG, Lahan, M., Villafuerte, G., Stevens, L. “Geothermal Energy Resources of Papua New Guinea: Country Update – WGC2020+1)
