NDP leader Ryan Meili says an NDP government would harness the power of our Crowns and the expertise of the oil patch to explore the development of affordable, scalable, renewable baseload geothermal power in Saskatchewan. The NDP has a platform commitment of reaching 50 per cent renewable electricity by 2030 and a legislated target of 100 per cent emissions-free electricity by 2050. Meili says this geothermal plan is a part of those commitments.

The party says emerging technology has the potential to provide reliable affordable green power that is the ideal companion to expanded solar and wind. The party says geothermal also has the capacity to provide a much-needed boost to industries and communities impacted by the oil downturn.

There is already a private company doing work in the geothermal field in Saskatchewan. DEEP Earth Energy Production is testing wells in the southeast portion of the province, near Torquay. The company says their testing indicates multiple geothermal power facilities could be supported.