| Title | EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION MAKING IN THE PACIFIC – TAKARA GEOTHERMAL PROJECT, EFATE, VANUATU |
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| Authors | S. Daysh, B. White, T. Tari and K. McPherson |
| Year | 2015 |
| Conference | New Zealand Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Management, Vanuatu Geothermal, Pacific Islands Geothermal, Community Engagement, Decision Making Process, New Zealand Assistance. |
| Abstract | Small island states are concerned about their environment, their people and their economies. In recent years a geothermal electricity project has been proposed on the Takara geothermal field, Efate, Republic of Vanuatu. This 5 to 10 MW geothermal project, proposed by Australian company Geodynamics, would mesh into a diesel-dominated electricity supply system (but including some wind and biofuel with a small but growing amount of solar power) run by UNELCO centred on Port Vila. Diesel generation is expensive and is a major contributor to the very high cost of reticulated electricity in Vanuatu generally and on Efate in particular. The geothermal project would reduce dependency on imported diesel and may lower electricity price, leading to higher connection rates. Existing Vanuatu environmental law and regulations are based around submission and approval of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Environmental Management and Monitoring Plans (EMMPs) by the proponent to the Director of the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC). The Takara project was the most technically complex report the DEPC has seen to date. This led to the establishment of a Review Committee, supported by a technical advisory team, and including involvement of New Zealand-based geothermal experts. While the proponent funded the overall process, some financial support was provided from the New Zealand Government. The project exploration phase was approved by the Review Committee in January 2015 conditional on a modified EMMP, within the legislated timeframes. This was the first time that a Review Committee had agreed a procedure in consultation with the proponent for assessing a project, and had undertaken its own consultation. The process for environmental review and approval of complex projects now has a precedent that could be useful as the Government of Vanuatu overcomes damage by the recent cyclone and seeks to further develop its national infrastructure. |