Papua New Guinea, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is considered a geological hotspot and is home to significant amounts of volcanic activity.
With Papua New Guinea’s power supply system in its current stretched state; demand already exceeds supply, and the underdevelopment of power generation presents the country with a unique chance to build the system in an efficient and cost-effective way.
Experts believe that geothermal energy has the potential to answer some of PNG’s energy demands.
Geothermal energy is the heat from the earth’s core. Thermal energy is then generated and stored in the earth. If developed, it would be the second major power source in PNG, however little is known about this renewable energy source.
According to the Geothermal Energy Association, PNG’s geothermal potential is estimated to be at 21.9 terawatt hours. This is enough to meet all of PNG’s electricity needs well into the future.
Industry Expert, Peter McCabe from the Adelaide University, states that on a global perspective, PNG is a favorable area for geothermal energy.
