NZ and Philippines Co-Operate in Geothermal Energy

5 AUGUST 2015

NZ And the Philippines Increase Co-Operation in Geothermal Energy

GNS Science and Philippine geothermal company Energy Development Corporation (EDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on geothermal energy developments in several countries.

The two organisations have worked closely under an existing MOU for the past three years with GNS Science providing specialist advice for geothermal developments in the Philippines and internationally.

The new MOU, signed this week in Manila during the visit of Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce, strengthens the current relationship and expands the scope of the work to include new research initiatives in geothermal energy.

EDC is one of the largest geothermal companies in the world with 1130MW of installed geothermal capacity.

The MOU was signed by GNS Science Chief Executive Dr Mike McWilliams and Richard Tantoco, President and Chief Operating Officer of EDC.

Areas where increased co-operation is likely include modelling of geothermal reservoirs, management of databases, and assessment of new geothermal fields in both countries.

EDC has indicated it will support GNS Science’s bid to set up a regional research institute based at Taupo, that would draw funding and expertise from numerous countries and focus on geothermal development in New Zealand and throughout the Pacific.

Head of GNS Science’s Geothermal Department, Greg Bignall, said collaboration between the two companies dated back to the 1970s and both organisations had found it rewarding to work together.

GNS Science specialists had been involved in the discovery and development of several major fields in the Philippines that had helped to make the country into one of the world’s top geothermal energy producers, Dr Bignall said.

“We have mutual interests in a wide range of areas, and we respect each other’s expertise.

EDC provides our staff with experiences that are not available in New Zealand’s geothermal environment. Some of this new knowledge can be applied at home to enhance New Zealand's energy production,” he said.

New Zealand’s Trade Commissioner to the Philippines Hernando Banal said New Zealand and the Philippines had a long and productive relationship partnering on geothermal energy initiatives in several countries.

“It is fantastic to see this co-operation continuing under an exciting new MOU,” Mr Banal said.

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