The advancement of geothermal energy in Vanuatu has reached a significant milestone, with Australia-based Groundlink Energy Pty Ltd now entering the final stage of its geothermal exploration in Takara, North Efate.
This progress is particularly important under the framework of Vanuatu’s Geothermal Act No. 40 of 2019, as Groundlink Energy becomes the third international company to fully meet the legal and regulatory criteria required for a geothermal exploration licence. The initiative is being overseen by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ Geology and Mines Unit.
Benjamin Titus, Licensing and Tenement Registrar at the Geology and Mines Unit, noted that Groundlink Energy underwent a comprehensive evaluation process. “The company underwent extensive vetting, including checks by the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC), to ensure they were a genuine entity with both the technical and financial capacity to carry out the exploration works within the life of the license,” Titus said.
In preparation for exploration activities, the Geology and Mines Unit also facilitated consultations with communities in North Efate. “The communities responded positively to the exploration work, which is critical to ensuring a successful and inclusive process,” Titus added.
The licence issued to Groundlink Energy is managed under the authority of the Geothermal Exploration Advisory Board, which was created to regulate and guide geothermal development in accordance with the Geothermal Act. This law promotes high standards for environmental protection, technical performance, and community involvement.
Co-Founder of Groundlink Energy, Tim Horneman, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to the country’s energy goals. “Groundlink Energy is honoured to be working with the Government and the people of Vanuatu to undertake exploration activities across the licence area in North Efate,” he said. “This licence is an important step in the journey toward the future construction and operation of a geothermal power plant to deliver lower-cost, lower-emissions electricity to Vanuatu.”
With existing transmission infrastructure nearby, the project is now entering the drilling phase to assess the geothermal resource’s energy generation potential. Titus affirmed continued regulatory oversight: “Our role is to ensure that Vanuatu’s geothermal resources are developed in a manner that is sustainable, transparent, and beneficial to all stakeholders.”