We are building momentum...
While the geothermal strategy sets a bold ambition for New Zealand’s energy future, it’s important to recognise the contribution already underway through funds like the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Primary Sector Growth Fund, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Endeavour Fund, and our international diplomacy efforts to progress the sector.
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Powering partnerships: Geothermal innovation across borders
New Zealand is driving international geothermal innovation as a world-leader in geothermal energy. Our geothermal cooperation arrangements with the Philippines and Indonesia support our commercial geothermal sector to access markets and provide a framework for New Zealand to help deliver on their renewable energy ambitions through technical assistance and capacity building programmes. New Zealand also partners with regional institutions such as the Africa Union Commission and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States via the New Zealand-Africa Union Geothermal Facility (AGF) and the Aotearoa New Zealand Caribbean Facility for Renewable Energy (FRENZ) to help develop these regions’ geothermal sectors. Our international partnerships in geothermal support New Zealand’s diplomatic ties and trade relationships.
Decarbonising the covered crop industry with geoheat
This project is developing a web-based tool to help greenhouse growers in Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty assess and adopt low-temperature geothermal heating. By translating complex subsurface data into accessible insights, it supports the horticulture sector’s shift away from fossil fuels toward 24/7 renewable energy. The initiative aims to strengthen food and energy resilience while embedding tāngata whenua perspectives in sustainable innovation. The Government is investing $158,000 in this project through the Primary Sector Growth Fund.
Geothermal food systems
The Geothermal Food Systems project integrates geothermal heat, electricity, and carbon dioxide capture to create a low-carbon, self-sufficient growing environment for glasshouses. By replacing fossil fuels with renewable geothermal inputs, it addresses key barriers to decarbonisation in horticulture while enhancing energy and food security. Led by Upflow in collaboration with Tauhara North No.2 Trust, the initiative is progressing toward a demonstration-scale deployment to validate and optimise this innovative technology package for wider use across New Zealand. The Government is contributing $250,000 to this project through the Primary Sector Growth Fund.
Novel biofeedstocks using geothermal resources
The Biofeedstocks project pioneers the use of geothermal waste gases and microorganisms to produce high-protein biomass for feed and nutrition. By transforming carbon dioxide and methane into a valuable product, it offers a novel pathway to reduce scope 3 emissions and reliance on global protein supply chains. Co-funded by Tauhara North No.2 Trust with project delivery from Upflow, the initiative is advancing toward pilot-scale optimisation and market alignment, with potential applications in animal feed, human nutrition, and high-value bioproducts. The Government will co-invest $2.5 million over 4 years in this project through the Primary Sector Growth Fund.
Enhancing geothermal energy efficiency and resource recovery through silica capture technology
Silica scaling is a world-wide problem in geothermal resource utilisation and decreases power station energy efficiency. This research programme, funded by MBIE’s Endeavour fund has led to the development of a new technology that rapidly captures the silica before it can form the scale, as a nanostructured calcium silicate (CaSil) material. The technology has been successfully demonstrated at pilot plant scale operations in 4 New Zealand geothermal power stations. CaSil material is now being used to develop a fertiliser aimed at reducing phosphate run-off that pollutes surface waters.