As part of the Geothermal: The Next Generation programme we are working to develop a supercritical energy strategy (2020-2050) for New Zealand. And since a national strategy needs wide, diverse and expert input, we are planning a stakeholder consultation workshops and focussed engagement to guide strategy development.

An Opportunity to Engage

In November, we presented our vision for this strategy, as a conference paper and in a presentation, at the New Zealand Geothermal Workshop, in Northland. The New Zealand geothermal community came together to share their ideas, expertise and questions in a one-hour workshop. Time was tight, but the input was invaluable. We challenged participants to consider what the technological, legal, regulatory, investment, economic, societal and other challenges to utilisation of supercritical resources in Aotearoa New Zealand.

To challenge the participants' creativity and problem solving abilities, we presented them with timing constraints and targets in three phases:

1.     What is needed to be ready to drill a supercritical exploration well by 2030? 

2.     What is needed to demonstrate pilot scale feasibility by 2040?

3.     What is needed to enable sector-wide roll out by 2050?

Next Steps

Thank you to everyone who took part, and to those who wanted to participate, but couldn't be there. We have captured a plethora of ideas, questions and insights, and we are only just getting started. We will take this feedback and in the new year, design our next phase of consultation. Watch this space for more information on upcoming workshops and how to have your say.

Photo Credits: Andrea Blair.