Geothermal on the way to power WA

The state government has earmarked the future possible use of geothermal energy to power homes and businesses in WA following the recent awarding of the first geothermal exploration permits in the Perth Basin.

Nine of the 36 permits offered by the Department of Mines and Petroleum were accepted by Green Rock Energy and The University of Western Australia, Granite Power and Geothermal Power.

Geothermal Power chief executive officer Jenny Archibald said the company, which received permits for about 60 per cent of the Perth metropolitan area including the CBD, had initially considered providing geothermal energy for cooling and heating purposes.

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

Full announcement below:

Geothermal exploration permits expands potential for alternative energy source

Portfolio: Mines and Petroleum

Perth metropolitan homes and businesses could be powered, cooled and heated by geothermal energy in the future following the recent awarding of the first geothermal exploration permits in the Perth Basin.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said today there was strong potential to harness geothermal power in the Perth area.

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

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

The Minister said geothermal energy would enhance the State's energy security options and was pleased to announce 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 chief executive officer Jenny Archibald said the company, which received permits for about 60 per cent of the Perth metropolitan area including the CBD, had initially considered providing geothermal energy for cooling and heating purposes.

Ms 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," Ms 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.