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SaskPower looks at first geothermal power project in Estevan

May 17, 2017 | 10:36 AM

SaskPower is exploring what would be Saskatchewan’s first geothermal power project.

It has signed a power purchase agreement with DEEP Earth Energy Production Corp. that will determine the feasibility of a five-megawatt project near Estevan.

“We’re proud to continue our work with DEEP to evaluate geothermal’s potential role in our power supply,” SaskPower president and CEO Mike Marsh said in a news release.

“Cleaner electricity options are vital to Saskatchewan’s future, and geothermal power is another option to explore as we work to reach our goal of having 50 per cent of our capacity come from renewable power by 2030.”

The plant would use hot water passed through an exchanger to create steam and drive a turbine to produce electricity.

SaskPower said the proposed plant would generate renewable, zero-emission power from a hot aquifer three kilometres under the Earth’s surface.

“DEEP’s Saskatchewan power facility will launch a brand new clean energy sector for the country, and we anticipate significant job creation during the construction and operation of the facility,” said Kirsten Marcia, president and CEO of DEEP. 

According to SaskPower, the proposed plant would generate enough electricity to power 5,000 homes and offset about 40,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, the equivalent of removing 8,000 cars from the road per year.

 

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