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New Zealand showcasing its geothermal capabilities

New Zealand showcasing its geothermal capabilities Wairakei geothermal plant, New Zealand (source: Commons/Wikimedia)
Alexander Richter 26 Apr 2010

New Zealand's geothermal sector represented by a large number of companies and representatives at the World Geothermal Congress 2010 in Bali, Indonesia.

In a release by the New Zealand geothermal energy industry, the experience and long history of the sector in the country is highlighted and talks about the NZ companies representing the country at the World Geothermal Congress in Bali.

“The New Zealand Geothermal Association (NZGA) and a large delegation of scientists, engineers, consultants and investors, and major companies will be demonstrating a full spectrum of professional services and expertise in geothermal development with the support of the New Zealand Government.

Participating exhibitors include Auckland University and the Institute of Earth Science & Engineering (booth GC14), the New Zealand Engineering (booth GC7) including Maskell Production Ltd, Allied Industrial Engineering, Robt Stone and Parsons Brinckerhoff Power, New Zealand’s Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences /GNS Science (booth HC9), PT AECOM Indonesia (booth HC8), Sinclair Knight Merz (booth HC6) and Tiger Energy (booth HB4).

“The significant presence at WGC 2010 globally reinforces New Zealand’s solid track record in this industry and gives us the opportunity to forge deeper partnerships with other leading geothermal markets in Asia Pacific such as Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. It is also a fitting launch pad for our joint hosting with Australia of the World Geothermal Congress in 2015,” said Alan Koziarski, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s Regional Director for South and South East Asia.

Blessed with rich geothermal fields, New Zealand is a pioneer in developing large-scale geothermal electricity generation as early as the 1950s. Today, it combines experience with cutting-edge geosciences research and innovation to harness the potential of geothermal to deliver cost-competitive, sustainable energy not just in New Zealand but across the region.

“The geothermal industry is the place to be, with a lot of development over the last few years and much more to come in the near term. Geothermal energy is now getting the profile it deserves as a reliable, clean and renewable form of energy. It is independent of weather and can deliver energy at some of the most competitive unit rates of any energy option for heat or electricity generation,” said Spence McClintock, President of the New Zealand Geothermal Association.

Geothermal energy provides approximately 0.4% of the world global power generation. As of 2008, global installed capacity of geothermal energy for power generation was more than10GW. The International Geothermal Association has predicted this to reach 11 GW by 2010, and dramatically grow in the next few years as the world shifts to cleaner fuel.

In New Zealand, geothermal energy is currently the second-most used renewable fuel for electricity generation, after hydro, currently generating around 14% of all New Zealand electricity.”

Source: iStockAnalyst