February 14, 2024
Rotorua lakes map reveals energy potential
Geological mapping of the Rotorua lakes could create opportunities for iwi to develop small geothermal power scheme.
Project leader Cornel de Ronde says geothermal activity has been found in most of the lakes.
He’s just released a report on Lake Rotorua, showing the city’s geothermal system extends for about a kilometer out into the lake from Sulfur Point as part of a hidden hydrothermal system of eruption craters and other geothermal anomalies.
Dr de Ronde says modern directional drilling means pipes can be laid up to 4 kilometres offshore without the need for unsighly platforms.
“Geothermal energy in New Zealand has bargly been associad with big geothermal plants – a lot of these things I’m talking about are arguably much smaller than Wairakei and Ohaaki and so on but they still have energy so I think it’s a mind shift to say whether or not people want to tap into this resource for smaller geothermal projects,” he says.
Dr de Ronde says the mapping which is being done in conjunction with the navy will be provided to the Te Arawa Lakes Trust before its public release.