The partnership between the Philippines and New Zealand in harnessing geothermal energy and improving the sustainability of the energy sector will continue to grow as the two nations build a framework to open up opportunities for investment and knowledge exchange, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh said.

The envoy on Tuesday night, Sept. 9, hosted a welcome reception for the visiting New Zealand Geothermal Delegation, which will coincide with the 6th Philippine International Geothermal Conference (PIGC6) and Geothermal Week, that will run from Sept. 8 to 12.

In her speech, McIntosh said that geothermal facility visits and technical discussions between the two countries in the past two days have already started to feel familial.

“And that is exactly what this geothermal partnership has become over the decades. Not only a story of technical expertise and energy cooperation between New Zealand and Philippine companies, of which so many are represented tonight, but also one of enduring friendships and shared journeys,” she said.

“From the early years in the 1960s and 70s to the innovations you are bringing today, New Zealand and the Philippines have truly built something special together,” she added.

Mcintosh pointed out that the new partnership will put in place a framework “saying this is what we want to achieve so that there's outline goals and milestones in the partnership itself.”

Citing the support from the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the ambassador expressed excitement over seeing New Zealand companies “beginning a new chapter” in the Philippines.

“This is one reminder that our geothermal partnerships continues to grow,” she said, referring to the opening of Western Energy's first office in Manila.

Also part of the delegation are Auckland Uniservices/Geothermal Institute, Contact Energy, Earth Sciences New Zealand, JRG Energy Limited, MB Century, Seequent, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

Angus Howden, International Business Development Manager of Western Energy, shared the reason for opening a branch in Manila.

“We saw the opportunity in the Philippines to bring the same technology and know-how and expertise to work alongside the Philippine industry here, and so a natural extension of the work that we've been doing for the last three years with the industry was to have a more permanent presence,” he said, adding that his company has been working to “help make power generation more efficient and lower cost in New Zealand.”

“And so the opening of a branch is a step in that direction, and we are very pleased that the hard work from the team has led us to today,” he added.

Alan Stewart, chief executive officer of MB Contact, also took note of the technical challenges faced by Philippine geothermal plants.

“So rather than them trying to deal with it and learn through mistakes, which is generally how you learn, they can engage us and we can accelerate their learning and address their issues quite quickly,” he explained, saying that his companies offers drilling, wireline services, and engineering and design work.

Andrew McMahon, Regional Segment Manager of Seequent, expressed confidence in the renewal of partnership between the countries.

“It’s basically strengthening the partnership we already have. New Zealand has an enormous amount of background knowledge that the New Zealand companies and service providers are always willing to try and help other geothermal countries develop their projects even better,” he furthered.