Takara, Vanuatu geothermal project secures community consent
Efate, Vanuatu (source: Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Carlo Cariaga
21 May 2025
Following public consultation, Groundlink Energy has received community support for a geothermal power project in Vanuatu and will proceed to exploration.
The planned geothermal power project of Australian firm Groundlink Energy Pty Ltd (Groundlink Energy) at the Takara site in the Efate Island of Vanuatu has been given consent by the local communities. With this development, geothermal exploration activities can now commence.
To promote a good relationship with local communities, representatives from Groundlink Energy participated in a public community consultation. Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC), SHEFA Provincial Government Council (SPGC), and officers from the Silaewia Police Station were also on hand to support the event.
The goal of the consultation was to present the locals with information on the planned work programme, proposed exploration activities, and timeline over the three-year license term of the geothermal project. The geothermal exploration license, granted earlier this year, is for the Takara site in North Efate. This had already been an area of interest for geothermal development in the past, but the previous attempt ultimately fell through.
The consultation drew questions and concerns from the community members. Some of the issues that were brought up were related to potential environmental impacts, the effects of drilling, and land use matters. Representatives from the company answered all the questions. The community leaders seemed satisfied with the responses, as they eventually expressed their support for the project and encouraged further dialogue.
“The meeting today is not the first and last,” said a representative from Groundlink Energy. “There will be continuous community engagement throughout the life of the licence. We are very thankful for the warm response and assure all stakeholders that we will work closely with the people during every step of the process.”
“Takara and the greater North Efate region are set to experience major development activities, including initiatives such as the Port Havannah Marina,” added a spokesperson from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
“The introduction of geothermal energy at this time is timely and critical to powering future growth.”
Source: DailyPost.vu
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