29Requirement to apply for geothermal production lease

29 Requirement to apply for geothermal production lease (1) If the Minister is satisfied commercial production of geothermal energy should begin in a licence area, the Minister may require the licence holder for the area to give written reasons why the licence holder should not apply for a geothermal production lease.

Geothermal Energy Act 2009 16 (2) The requirement must specify the period, of not less than 6 months, within which the licence holder must give the reasons. (3) If the Minister is not satisfied by the reasons given by the licence holder, or if the licence holder does not give reasons within the period allowed under this section, the Minister may: (a) require the licence holder to apply for a lease within a specified period of not less than 3 months after the date of the notice; or (b) cancel the licence.