Mele Bay, Efate, Vanuatu
Tim Horneman, co-founder of Groundlink Energy, stated: “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 added: “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 connectivity to the grid possible through existing transmission infrastructure, the project is well placed to make a contribution to the economy of Vanuatu.”
Groundlink Energy is the third international company to meet Vanuatu’s regulatory requirements for a geothermal exploration license under the Geothermal Act No. 40 of 2019. The license is overseen by the Geothermal Exploration Advisory Board, which ensures compliance with standards for performance, environmental management, and community engagement.
Benjamin Titus, Licensing and Tenement Registrar at Vanuatu’s Geology and Mines Unit, commented: “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 also noted that Groundlink Energy held consultation sessions with villages in North Efate, receiving positive feedback from local communities. He emphasized: “Our role is to ensure that Vanuatu’s geothermal resources are developed in a manner that is sustainable, transparent, and beneficial to all stakeholders.”
The Takara site has previously drawn interest for geothermal development. In 2009, another Australian company, KuTH Energy, conducted studies that identified a resource potential of 2-10 MW, with a P90 estimate of 9.6 MW. However, KuTH Energy withdrew in 2016 due to high drilling costs. Meanwhile, UK-based Stellae Energy recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Vanuatu Government to explore geothermal power projects, though no specific location was disclosed.
The Geothermal Exploration Advisory Board will continue to monitor Groundlink Energy’s activities to ensure sustainable and transparent development of Vanuatu’s geothermal resources.
