(EnergyAsia, May 13 2010, Thursday) — New Zealand showcased its geothermal leadership at the World Geothermal Congress (WGC) 2010 held in Bali, Indonesia last month.

The New Zealand Geothermal Association (NZGA) and a large delegation of scientists, engineers, consultants and investors, and major companies demonstrated a full spectrum of professional services and expertise in geothermal development with the support of the New Zealand government. Among the exhibitors were Auckland University, the Institute of Earth Science & Engineering, Maskell Production Ltd, Allied Industrial Engineering, Robt Stone, Parsons Brinckerhoff Power, Institute of Geological, Nuclear Sciences, GNS Science, PT AECOM Indonesia, Sinclair Knight Merz and Tiger Energy.

Alan Koziarski, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s Regional Director for South and South East Asia, said:

“The significant presence at WGC 2010 globally reinforces New Zealand’s solid track record in this industry and gives us the opportunity to forge deeper partnerships with other leading geothermal markets in Asia Pacific such as Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. It is also a fitting launch pad for our joint hosting with Australia of the World Geothermal Congress in 2015.”

Blessed with rich geothermal fields, New Zealand is a pioneer in developing large-scale geothermal electricity generation as early as the 1950s. Today, it combines experience with cutting-edge geosciences research and innovation to harness the potential of geothermal to deliver cost-competitive, sustainable energy not just in New Zealand but across the region.

Spence McClintock, President of the New Zealand Geothermal Association, said:

“The geothermal industry is the place to be, with a lot of development over the last few years and much more to come in the near term.  Geothermal energy is now getting the profile it deserves as a reliable, clean and renewable form of energy. It is independent of weather and can deliver energy at some of the most competitive unit rates of any energy option for heat or electricity generation.”

Geothermal energy provides approximately 0.4% of the world global power generation. As of 2008, global installed capacity of geothermal energy for power generation was more than 10GW.

The International Geothermal Association has predicted that global capacity will reach 11 GW by 2010, and dramatically grow in the next few years as the world shifts to cleaner fuel.

In New Zealand, geothermal energy is the second-most used renewable fuel for electricity generation after hydro which provides around 14% of the country’s electricity. Geothermal’s rise will continue as the government has set a national target for renewable sources to generate 90% of the nation’s electricity requirements by 2025.

New Zealand already has one of the fastest growing rates of geothermal development in the world, recently rising from No.8 to No.5 in ranking.

“We have seen a steep upward growth for geothermal power generation domestically, proving the commercial viability of this clean energy resource to fuel our industries and homes,” Mr McClintock said.

Overseas, New Zealand companies are consulting for and supplying to various partners in countries such as Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, Papua New Guinea and a range of countries through the western Pacific and Asia in particular, but with interests spreading through Chile and other parts of South America, as well as east African countries.

In Indonesia, New Zealand built the Kamojang 1 Project, the first geothermal power station in the country.  It funded and provided technical engineering support for the facility which opened in 1982.  Companies like PB, PT AECOM, and SKM remain heavily involved in active geothermal projects including Kamojang, Darajat, Dieng, Gunung Salak, Wayang Windu, Lahendong and Ulumbu.

New Zealand continues to be one of the few countries to offer broad geothermal post-graduate training, as it has done for the last 30 years.  Many of the leading national engineers and scientists in Indonesia or the Philippines have had training in New Zealand, and the relationships formed are valued by all those involved.