Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ottawa funds development of B.C. geothermal field

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Mar, 2021 10:24 PM
  • Ottawa funds development of B.C. geothermal field

Ottawa has committed more than $40 million to fund the development of geothermal power from a diminishing natural gas field in northern British Columbia.

"It will serve as a model for other geothermal facilities across the country, particularly in the North and rural communities," Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Reagan said Friday.

The money

The money will be spent on the Clarke Lake field near the community of Fort Nelson, which is nearing depletion after nearly 60 years of production. That, combined with low natural gas prices, have reduced investment and employment from the resource.

The first full size geothermal well will be drilled early this year and commercial operation is expected by late 2024. The project is expected to generate up to 15 megawatts of green energy, which is enough to power up to 14,000 households and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25,000 tonnes.

The project is entirely owned by the Fort Nelson First Nation, with involvement from the Saulteau First Nation. Fort Nelson Chief Sharleen Gale said the project will use the skills local workers already have, redirecting them from fossil fuels to geothermal.

"We are accomplishing all of this by using existing skill sets," she said. "This is a fast-forward for us to lead the energy transition."

A government press release said the Clarke Lake project will be one of Canada's first commercially viable geothermal electricity production facilities.

O'Reagan said Ottawa is also involved in other geothermal projects.

It has invested more than $25 million in a five-megawatt geothermal power plant near Estevan, Sask., and about the same for a similar facility near Grande Prairie, Alta.

It has also spent nearly $7 million for a project in Alberta near Rocky Mountain House and about $5 million for another one near Swan Hills.

"It's a great opportunity," said O'Reagan.

"It provides almost a safe harbour for a lot of workers who are currently displaced by the ups and downs of the oil and natural gas industries. Their skills in drilling and exploration are almost perfectly transferable to geothermal."

MORE National ARTICLES

'Trust has been broken,' says defence minister

'Trust has been broken,' says defence minister

OTTAWA - Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says that "trust has been broken" in the Canadian military f...

'Trust has been broken,' says defence minister

Canada to receive 1M Pfizer doses per week to May 10: PM

Canada to receive 1M Pfizer doses per week to May 10: PM
Trudeau says the updated delivery schedule begins March 22 and runs to May 10. He says one million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines every seven days is "going to make a big difference."

Canada to receive 1M Pfizer doses per week to May 10: PM

Spider causes family to be webbed into police investigation

Spider causes family to be webbed into police investigation
The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit tracked down the man and woman who were driving the RAV4 and confirmed that no criminal activity had taken place. This incident was in fact, caused by a spider.

Spider causes family to be webbed into police investigation

IHIT looking into the assault of a woman in her New Westminster home

IHIT looking into the assault of a woman in her New Westminster home
42 year old, Andywele Mullings, was arrested. According to police the parties involved knew each other. 

IHIT looking into the assault of a woman in her New Westminster home

No place for abusive behaviour in military: Eyre

No place for abusive behaviour in military: Eyre
In addition, Gen. Jonathan Vance, McDonald's predecessor, is being investigated over allegations of sexual misconduct reported by Global News following his retirement.

No place for abusive behaviour in military: Eyre

Homeless in Victoria parks to get shelter spaces

Homeless in Victoria parks to get shelter spaces
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps says her council is poised to amend its current bylaw that permits 24-hour camping in the park during the pandemic to allow only overnight camping.

Homeless in Victoria parks to get shelter spaces