Mighty River Power files for exploration consent on new Rotorua prospect
Tikitere, Hell's Gate, near Rotorua/ New Zealand (source: flickr/ ~ Pil ~, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
17 May 2013
Mighty River Power has filed for resource consent for exploration drilling and a feasibility study on the Te ia a Tutea prospect near Rotorua, New Zealand.
Newly partly privatized Mighty River Power has filed for resource consent “to investigate and develop the use of geothermal power generation on the Taheke field, near Okere Falls” in New Zealand.
The application is for a temporary use of a drilling rig and temporary accommodation for staff. Exploration drilling, applied for now, would be expected to take up to 6 weeks and is expected to help evaluate the potential for a geothermal power plant on site.
The Maori land incorporations of Okre and Ruahine signed agreements with Mighty River Power for the possible project two years ago.
The project will be named Te ia a Tutea and the agreements with the Maori groups were signed to enable initial exploration and a feasibility study for the project, as well as the co-ownership of the development project.
There has so far been made no decision on a power plant and the planned tests now are only to evaluate the feasibility of potential development and economic viability.
Temperatures of the field are expected to be in the medium range, which likely means binary power technology to be used if it was to be developed.
Source: Rotorua Daily Post
