The geothermal industry in the state has been given a kick-start with the government awarding a private Guildford-based company the first exploration permits in Western Australia.
New World Energy Solutions has been offered 12 of 13 geothermal exploration applications in the Perth Basin which has potential to supply electricity to the Perth metropolitan area and to resource projects in the Mid West region.
"Our permits north of Perth are close to the proposed new 330kV line that will supply electricity to the resource-rich Mid West region, while our permits south of Perth are adjacent to the proposed Binningup desalination plant and incorporate the Kemerton Industrial Area," NWES managing director John Libby said.
Overall, nearly 65 applications were received for the 38 permit areas in the Perth Basin.
Additionally, NWES will apply for permits in the recent Carnarvon Basin release which cover large parts of the Pilbara, Gascoyne and Murchison regions. The basin release contains 81 geothermal exploration permits.
Successful applications are required to drill at lease one shallow well to about 400 metres in depth within the two years of each permit.
"This release has huge significant for Western Australia," Mr Libby said.
"Energy offset by large geothermal developments in the region is likely to result in some of the largest sustained reductions in the carbon emissions in the state."
NWES plans to list on the Australian Securities Exchange early next year.
