There are just three plants in the world creating synthetic gas.
Solid Energy has begun work testing a controversial gas extraction method at a pilot plant in Huntly.
The method, known as underground coal gasification, creates synthetic gas by setting fire to coal underground. It uses hydro-fracturing, or fracking, to weaken the coal.
Three similar plants have been trialled in Australia. One of them has been shut down permanently after leaked carcinogens were detected in nearby groundwater.
Huntly is known for its farms, lakes, and coal.
“The Waikato has two-billion tonnes of coal in it,” says Steve Pearce of Solid Energy. “That's equivalent to 10 Maui gas fields very close to Auckland.”
So, to tap into that resource, Solid Energy is trialling underground coal gasification.
3 News Co NZ
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