Western Australia Issues First Geothermal Exploration Permits In Perth Basin

Published: 18-Aug-2009

By: Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer

Government of Western Australia has awarded first geothermal exploration permits in the Perth Basin. The metropolitan homes and businesses at Perth could be powered, cooled and heated by geothermal energy in the future. According to Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore, there are high potential to harness geothermal power in the Perth area. The geothermal energy will enhance the state’s energy security options.

“Using the natural heat from deep underground sources would be a significant step in reducing our carbon footprint,” Moore said.

“Imagine new housing estates using natural energy source to cool, heat or power homes with no emissions.”

The Mines and Petroleum Ministry announced that nine of the 36 permits offered by the Department of Mines and Petroleum were accepted by:

Green Rock Energy Ltd. and The University of Western Australia

Granite Power Ltd.

Geothermal Power Pty Ltd. (Geothermal Power)

Geothermal Power Chief Executive Officer Jenny Archibald said the company, which received permits for about 60% of the Perth metropolitan area including the CBD, had initially considered providing geothermal energy for cooling and heating purposes.

Archibald said Geothermal Power, a consortium of resource industry professionals, planned to target businesses that needed constant cooling, such as data centres and supermarkets.

“Many have the potential to use geothermal energy, it’s just a matter of the cost of installing the infrastructure and the energy requirements,” Ms Archibald said.

The company is also considering using geothermal energy to provide electricity, and predicts there will be strong interest in the near future.

“If electricity prices increase in the way that they’ve been foreshadowed, then there will be a lot of interest in looking at this as an alternative,” Archibald said.

“Another positive aspect is that geothermal is base-load power, which means it is a constant supply.”

The remaining geothermal exploration applicants are still assessing whether they will take up the permits offered to them.

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