And a few stories from NZ:

Stuff.co.nz - Geothermal electricity powers on.

Geothermal power production could double in the next few years to about 10 per cent of demand - and it will be cheaper than wind power, says Mighty River Power. State-owned Mighty River's new $300 million, 100-megawatt Kawerau geothermal power station is fully operational. It is next to the Norske Skog pulp and paper mill, a big power user in the region.

Mighty River will consider building another similar-sized plant in the same area, says chief executive Doug Heffernan. Kawerau, in the eastern Bay of Plenty, is the biggest geothermal development in New Zealand in 20 years. The geothermal field is expected to run for at least 50 years, or as long as anyone wants to keep a power station at the site. ... Previous government agency estimates suggest only 15 per cent of New Zealand's geothermal potential has been tapped. Geothermal power could produce about 75 per cent of peak demand.

NZ Herald - Wind farm project could jump hoops

State-owned Mighty River Power is asking the Government whether its application to build a wind farm development at Turitea near Palmerston North can be fast-tracked by being called in. The Environment Minister can call in a proposal if it is deemed to be of national significance and direct the matter to either a board of inquiry or the Environment Court. Last week Environment Minister Trevor Mallard announced he was calling in Contact Energy's proposal for a 180-turbine 540-megawatt (MW) wind farm near Raglan.

NZ Herald - Wellington Drive gets US Govt energy tick

Local maker of energy efficient motors Wellington Drive Technologies has been recognised by a United States government energy efficiency labelling programme.