Crown scientists are hoping to drill deeper than ever into New Zealand’s crust to make the most of our geothermal energy potential.

But they say the first well needs around $40 million in public funding. It comes amid the Government’s concerns about spot pricing from weather-dependant renewables such as wind, solar, and hydro power. A team of 30 GNS scientists have been researching what’s known as ‘supercritical’ geothermal energy resources in New Zealand which are not weather-affected.