The Government of New Zealand has taken a significant step forward in its renewable energy journey with the release of the national geothermal strategy titled From the Ground Up By: Robert Buluma A strategy to unlock New Zealand’s geothermal potential on March 17, 2026. This comprehensive plan, developed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), aims to dramatically expand the role of geothermal energy in the country's energy mix, regional development, and industrial sectors. At its core is an ambitious target: to double geothermal energy use by 2040. New Zealand is already a global leader in geothermal utilization. Geothermal resources currently supply around one-fifth of the nation's electricity, with installed capacity approaching or exceeding 1.3 GW in recent years. In 2024-2025 data, geothermal generation contributed roughly 8,741 GWh annually, representing about 18-20% of total electricity production. This makes it the second-largest renewable sou...
Vulcan Energy's Lionheart Project: A Groundbreaking Milestone in Sustainable Lithium Production for Europe By: Robert Buluma In a major development for Europe's push toward energy independence and green technology, Vulcan Energy Resources has secured its first lithium production permit for the flagship Lionheart Project. Announced recently, this license represents the first of its kind in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field and specifically in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The permit paves the way for commercial lithium extraction integrated with renewable geothermal energy, marking a pivotal step in building a domestic, low-carbon supply chain for critical raw materials. This achievement comes as the Lionheart Project is already fully funded and under active construction, following a substantial financing package and multiple prior regulatory approvals. With commercial production targeted for 2028, Vulcan Energy is positioning itself as a leader in sustainab...