New Zealand Unveils Draft Strategy to Double Geothermal Energy by 2040

New Zealand has launched a draft strategy aiming to double its geothermal energy production by 2040, reinforcing its position as a global leader in clean energy innovation while supporting regional development and the Māori economy. The plan, unveiled by Resources Minister Shane Jones, focuses on expanding geothermal use beyond electricity to industrial, commercial, and agricultural applications, as well as exploring mineral extraction from geothermal fluids. Key proposals include improving access to geothermal data, reforming regulatory frameworks, and investing in supercritical geothermal technology, which taps into ultra-hot reservoirs deep within the Earth's crust to potentially triple current energy output. The government has allocated $60 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for research into this technology, with initial exploratory drilling planned in the Taupō Volcanic Zone. New Zealand's geothermal sector already contributes nearly 20% of its electricity generation, with 17 power plants operating across eight fields, and the strategy also highlights opportunities for innovation, public-private partnerships, and enhanced coordination with tangata whenua. Additionally, the plan considers reviewing emissions trading settings and developing tourism initiatives linked to geothermal resources to support sustainable growth.