| Title | 2024 annual Aotearoa New Zealand geothermal review |
|---|---|
| Authors | T. Montague, C. Stephenson, K. McLean, S.J. Zarrouk |
| Year | 2025 |
| Conference | New Zealand Geothermal Workshop |
| Keywords | New Zealand, Aotearoa, geothermal, annual review, 2023 |
| Abstract | During 2024, geothermal electricity generation rose 13% to a record 8,741 GWh due to the commissioning of two new power plants at Tauhara Field. Over the year, geothermal generation lifted to 19% of New Zealand’s electricity supply. Due to unfavourable hydrological conditions, total renewable generation fell to 85% of national power generation. The net installed geothermal capacity increased by 17% to 1.207 MWe from 22 power stations in eight fields. Roughly 56% of the capacity is older that 10 years, and the proportion greater than 30 years fell to 16%. During 2025 generation capacity will likely increase a further 8% with the commissioning of two new binary plants. Ths will boost system reliability and resiliency amid continuing hydro variability. Operators have deferred additional projects in development due to adverse market and detiorating marco economic conditions. Over the year, operators drilled ten deep conventional wells supporting power generation as well as twelve small diameter wells supporting direct use and resource observation. Drilling activity is expected to relax during 2025 as construction of new capacity wanes. With the significant increase in generation, the geothermal industry’s total CO2e emissions rose slightly (1.3%) from 2023. However, the downward trend in emissions intensity continues, due in part to ongoing reinjection success at Ngāwhā, Ngā Tamariki, and Te Huka. Although developers did not commission new high-temperature, direct-use facilities during the year, projects to increase heat use remain in active development. The services sector continued to evolve with the strengthening of the domestic and international well services sector and the continued success of software services exports. New Zealand universities continued to support the industry. Geothermal student enrolments at the NZ Geothermal Institute increased with strong support from MFAT Manaaki scholarships. Concurrently, the number of research Masters and PhD enrolments reached a record high. |