Geothermal Energy to Play Vital Role in New Zealand's Future

[jpak]

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=46701

Construction on a 90-megawatt (MW), $275 million geothermal power plant in New Zealand is finally underway this week after four years of cumulative planning. The new power station, located in Kawerau in the eastern Bay of Plenty, will be the largest geothermal power development in New Zealand in over 20 years -- and is expected to produce more energy annually than all of the country's existing wind turbines, said Mighty River Power Chief Executive Doug Heffernan.

The plant is part of the New Zealand-owned power generator and retailer's geothermal exploration and development program. Kawerau, said Heffernan, is the first stage in Mighty River Power's plans to develop 400 MW of geothermal energy over the next five to ten years.

"In addition we have identified a further 800MW of potential resource which could also be developed in the longer term, subject to gaining land access agreements, resource consents and sufficient transmission infrastructure," said Heffernan.

According to Heffernan, Mighty River Power's primary focus is on geothermal generation because it has a number of distinct advantages over other renewable energy sources in New Zealand.

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[Dead_Parrot]

1. Of course, one problem with that...

is that they'll have to change their name to 'Mighty Volcano'. Still, at least they're not switching to bio-fuel from the livestock industry...

I wonder if there is a reward for "Most sane power co. executive"?

[jpak]

2. 1200 MW of new geothermal + hundreds of MW of new wind capacity

(with hydro to back it up)...

Why would a Kiwi want a nuke????

:evilgrin:

[Dead_Parrot]

3. Beats me

But if you're going to claim all countries have the renewable resources per capita that NZ has, I'm going to laugh at you. :)

[jpak]

4. They all do - the sun shines, the wind blows, plants grow, the rain falls...

:evilgrin:

:hi:

[Dead_Parrot]

5. Hahahahahahaha!

:hi: