A recent technical review of DEEP Earth Energy Production Corporation’s geothermal project near Estevan confirms about 40 years of baseload power generation is available in the company’s Phase 1 and 2 projects.

President and CEO of DEEP, Kirsten Marcia, says this review shows there is confidence in what the project can produce, and that sets DEEP up for finding financing. The review suggests Phases 1 and 2 would provide baseload power capacity for about 25,000 homes.

Marcia explains that brine is pumped out from deep in the earth and it’s about 120 degrees Celsius. That heat is then converted to power. She adds that SaskPower sees the value of geothermal energy as a renewable resource because the Crown Corporation has signed a 5-megawatt power purchase agreement. That is DEEP’s Phase 1 pilot project and Phase 2, which would be a later expansion, would be a 25-megawatt power plant.

Workers in the oil and gas industry may be interested to note that the technology and skill sets are similar. Marcia says the two industries are very compatible.

DEEP’s President and CEO considers geothermal an attractive option as renewable energy because it is baseload power that isn’t contingent on the weather, and it is being used almost everywhere in the world. This project is the first in Canada. The next step is getting financing together to begin construction on the project.