Superhot geothermal preferred contractor named

New Zealand firm Todd Energy has been selected as the preferred lead contractor to drill New Zealand’s first exploratory superdeep, superhot geothermal well, which – if successful – could bring about a step change in New Zealand’s energy supply.

Project chair Tim Groser said the project aims to drill to depths up to 5 to 6km – almost double that of conventional geothermal wells – to try to access a massive untapped renewable energy source.

The project has been allocated $60 million from the government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund as part of its priorities aimed at developing a secure and resilient energy supply, backing regional economies, and giving businesses the confidence to invest.

The project is being overseen by MBIE’s Kānoa-Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit in partnership with Earth Sciences New Zealand, the landowners Tauhara North No.2 Trust, and Mercury.

Mercury already operates 2 geothermal stations on the Rotokawa geothermal field near Taupō, which has been selected as the site for the first superhot geothermal well.

Drilling is expected to start about mid-2027 at a location that has been pinpointed by scientists as most likely to access to superhot geothermal fluids.