Alberta wants to clear the way for development of 'untapped' geothermal energy

Source: Bill Graveland · CBC NEWS · | October 7, 2020

Alberta's energy minister said government plans to bring in legislation this fall to set the stage

Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage spoke during a press conference held Wednesday about the government's plans to bring in legislation for further development of geothermal energy in the province. (CBC News)

Alberta's energy minister says the province intends to clear hurdles to the development of clean geothermal energy.

Sonya Savage said the United Conservative government plans to bring in legislation this fall to set the stage for further development of geothermal energy, which comes from heat beneath the earth.

Water or steam can carry the energy to the surface to be used for heating or creating electricity.

"We see this as a stand-alone opportunity to bring in a new sector to drive investment," Savage told a news conference Wednesday.

"It has the added advantage of being green and clean and non-emitting, which feeds into the narrative that Alberta is taking emission reduction seriously.

"We've got the potential here and we want to develop it. Nobody's walking away from oil and gas. Oil and gas will continue to dominate the energy mix for decades."

Savage said pilot projects in the province are underway to check the commercial viability of geothermal technology. Everything is being done on a case-by-case basis.