International Aid Agencies

In 2014 the Geothermal Institute was commissioned to prepare a working paper for the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on issues regarding policy and regulation in geothermal development, using four selected country case studies; Chile, Kenya, New Zealand and the Philippines. The aim of the project was to inform policy discussion, especially for countries that are developing their geothermal potential. Follow up is planned with Indonesia and other countries.

In parallel, the Geothermal Institute worked with IRENA in the Andean Region on a Capacity Needs Assessment Methodology to provide analysis to assist countries in planning for geothermal capacity building. The first stage was to review what geothermal expertise existed in the science, engineering and operations disciplines. Then by examining geothermal development plans, develop a methodology to estimate and review the ways to build capacity on a country and regional basis. The outcomes of the technical report were peer-reviewed and made functional for other countries and regions. The method has since been applied in Indonesia.

The project also involved the delivery of a tailored course on geothermal policy, regulations and technology specifically for Andean Countries in cooperation with IRENA and the Andean Geothermal Centre of Excellence (CEGA).

The Geothermal Institute has a long relationship with MFAT/NZAid.  The Geothermal Institute was initially funded by fellowships from either the UNDP or NZ Aid.  Over a period of 30 years policies around funding support with MFAT/NZ Aid have evolved, however, the relationship is enduring and NZAid scholarship students continue to make up approximately 60% of the cohort of students attending the Master of Energy and Postgraduate Certificate of Geothermal Energy Technology programmes at the University of Auckland