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Summary
An $80 million commercial geothermal facility in the Municipal District of Greenview will be the first of its kind in Alberta.
Though the Alberta No. 1 project by Terrapin Geomatics isn’t scheduled for completion for another three years, the Alberta government is aiming to establish a regulatory framework to encourage further geothermal energy projects.
The provincial government is promoting geothermal power in a bid to diversify Alberta’s energy industry, and Terrapin may pursue more projects in the region.
“Terrapin does continue to investigate the opportunity for additional facilities across northwestern Alberta,” said Diane Jeon, Terrapin marketing manager.
“The (Greenview) project is currently undergoing the procurement process for the initial exploration well, which is expected to spud (in the first quarter of) 2021.”
Last year, Terrapin and Greenview council announced the intention to launch Alberta No. 1 in the Gold Creek area, south of Grande Prairie.
Jeon told Town & Country News last week Alberta No. 1 is projected for completion in the fourth quarter of 2023.
“The facility is anticipated to generate five megawatts net of electricity annually,” she said.
Terrapin’s vice-president of operations coudn’t be reached for comment on where else in northwest Alberta Terrapin is considering establishing other facilities.
Geothermal energy is a term used to describe the harnessing of natural heat emanating from inside the Earth, used for heating and cooling or to generate electricity.
Kavi Bal, Alberta Energy senior press secretary, told Town & Country News the province currently lacks a regulatory framework for such projects.
“Geothermal projects are assessed as one-offs,” Bal said.
“With a framework in place, it provides certainty for all parties.”
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