The federal Department of Natural Resources announced a $25.4-million investment August 23 in Northwestern Alberta's first commercial-scale geothermal facility. The project, Alberta No. 1, will be overseen by a partnership between Terrapin Geothermics and the Municipal District of Greenview. PCL Construction will also participate in this project.
Billed as a first in the province and among the first of its kind in Canada, the five megawatt facility is also expected to model integrated energy solutions by providing direct heat to local industries.
Funding for the project comes from Natural Resources Canada's $200-million Emerging Renewables Power Program, part of Canada's more than $180-billion “Investing in Canada” infrastructure plan for public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada's rural and northern communities.