SaskPower and DEEP Earth Energy Production Corp. (DEEP) have signed a power purchase agreement that will allow further research into the potential for Saskatchewan’s first geothermal power project.
The signed agreement allows DEEP to continue a proof of concept study to determine the feasibility of a five megawatt project near Estevan. The proposed plant would generate renewable, zero emission, baseload power from a hot aquifer three kilometres under the Earth’s surface. The electricity provided by the proposed plant would generate roughly the power required by 5,000 homes and offset about 40,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide per year
“We’re proud to continue our work with DEEP to evaluate geothermal’s potential role in our power supply,” said SaskPower President and CEO Mike Marsh. “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.”
See also “Geothermal could be Canada’s most overlooked clean energy resource,” IPPSO FACTO, April 2016.