DEEP pushing ahead with 32 MW geothermal power plant

Source: Alexander Richter · THINK GEOENERGY · | June 21, 2021

Deep Earth Energy Production (DEEP) is now pushing ahead with the development of its 32 MW Saskatchewan-based geothermal power project with the completion of the FEED and feasibility study.

Canadian DEEP Earth Energy Production Corp. (“DEEP”) has successfully completed the Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) with a corresponding Feasibility study and report on its first geothermal power facility in southeast Saskatchewan, as reported in a release this morning.

This is a fantastic great step forward for the company and of course Canada and follows the news for the great test results from November 2020 and the push ahead for engineering work in March 2021.

A Canadian first, the facility’s nominal output is expected to be 32 MW and will produce up to 33.4 Megawatts (MW) net power during the winter and a minimum of 20 MW net power during summer, due to seasonal variability in the output of the air cooled binary power plant (lower ambient air temperatures result in higher geothermal power production). Future construction phases have the capacity to increase power outputs to 160 MW during the winter months. Engineering services were provided by Enerpro Engineering Inc. GeothermEx (a Schlumberger Company) is completing a full review of the FEED and Feasibility study.

Total capital costs for the first facility came within the target range and are estimated at approximately CAN$8 million per MW (around USD 5.4m). The report details the capital costs and project schedule, highlighting a start-up date of January 1, 2024. Costs are expected to be driven down further based on: operational learnings and economies of scale in drilling, manufacturing, and construction. Compared to wind or solar, geothermal capital costs are higher, but the non-intermittent (24/7 baseload) characteristic of geothermal creates attractive revenues, offsetting the higher upfront costs.