Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has announced support for a new geothermal power facility near Estevan in Southeastern Saskatchewan, as part of the government’s measures to save the environment.
Image: The geothermal energy project is led by DEEP Earth Energy and is the first of its kind in Canada. Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Henry on Unsplash.
Led by DEEP Earth Energy, the geothermal project is touted to be first of its kind in the country.
Geothermal energy harnesses heat from the earth’s crust and transforms it into electricity to power households and businesses all over the year.
DEEP’s geothermal facility is expected to build on Saskatchewan’s leadership in the energy sector, using familiar drilling technologies from the oil, gas, and mining industries.
The Government of Canada will fund $25.6m for the 5MWe facility, which is capable of producing adequate energy to power approximately 5,000 homes.
The facility would reduce the carbon emissions equivalent of taking off the yearly emissions of 7,400 cars out of the atmosphere.
The project would also create 100 jobs during construction and provide the regional power grid with clean, renewable energy, and create new business opportunities for local communities.
The Government of Canada said it will continue to make smart investments in research and innovation to develop new clean energy technology, and meet climate goals and create economic growth that benefits all the citizens.
Trudeau said: “Today’s announcement is an investment in the future of Saskatchewan, and all our children. DEEP’s geothermal project has the potential to transform how the province and the country produce energy, while creating good, middle class jobs for Canadians.
“This is another example of how we’re taking action to fight climate change today while strengthening our communities for tomorrow.”
The local community would direct excess heat from the facility to a 45-acre greenhouse for commercial use. Saskatchewan agricultural sector benefits through sustainable, affordable clean heating for major commercial greenhouses.
Estimated to cost $51.3m, the project has been funded through Emerging Renewable Power Program, an initiative of Natural Resources Canada. Natural Resource Canada’s Clean Energy Innovation Program and Innovation Saskatchewan also contributed $350,000 and $175,000, respectively, towards test drilling.