The Resources Minister is insistent Crown funds should help heat the geothermal sector.

A Government strategy has been released on its plan to double the use of geothermal energy by 2040.

It's also ring fenced $50 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the development of geothermal energy projects. 

Resources Minister Shane Jones says it's a worthy investment.

"The Crown stepped up to the plate in the 1950s, did an enormous amount of drilling - not always successful, but a number of those drill holes have turned into major electricity suppliers." 

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