The Government has ring-fenced up to $60 million to invest in exploring the potential of superhot geothermal.

The Rotokawa geothermal field has been selected as the first well site because it benefits from decades of operational data, advanced geophysical imaging, and robust infrastructure, making it the ideal launchpad for supercritical exploration.

A Memorandum of Understanding to explore the potential of supercritical geothermal energy at the site has been signed between the landowners Tauhara North No.2 Trust, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and Mercury NZ which operates the Rotokawa geothermal power station.

The project is being run by a top-tier New Zealand team of technical experts who will design the well, the equipment needs, and the steps to get us to the extreme depths for accessing supercritical geothermal fluids. Earth Sciences NZ is contributing technical and scientific expertise, which was funded by MBIE’s Endeavour Research Fund and years of other studies at the Taupō Volcanic Zone.