Western GeoPower Corp. brochure : nature's own clean, renewable energy

This brochure describes the most advanced geothermal project in Canada. British Columbia's Western GeoPower Corporation holds Canada's only geothermal lease issued for commercial production of electricity. The company's South Meager Geothermal Project is expected to bring 100 MW of generating capacity on stream in 2007 and an additional 100 MW in 2009. The project has a maximum potential of 250 MW. Geothermal energy was described as being the heat radiating from the Earth's molten core that can be harnessed to produce electricity, steam and hot water for industrial, commercial and residential use. This brochure explained how geothermal energy is created, where it is found, and its importance in the global energy scene. Potential geothermal power capacity is estimated to be 50,000 times the energy of all known petroleum reserves. Most countries of the Pacific Rim have developed geothermal resources to produce electricity. Iceland produces 80 per cent of its power requirements from geothermal energy. The cost of generating electricity from geothermal resources has been reduced by 25 per cent in the past decade due to technological advances. In addition, geothermal power plants receive incentives and premium prices related to their capacity. Geothermal power plants are extremely reliable and have a 95 per cent load capacity utilization. The thermal reservoir defined at South Meager has an areal extent of 4.5 to 7.5 square km and a thickness of 2,800 metres. This high temperature field located near Whistler, British Columbia is a major geothermal site with enough electricity for a city of about 500,000 people. The project is located near the province's main electricity grid which provides a direct link with the Bonneville Power Authority grid in the northwestern United States. The three phases of the South Meager Geothermal Project are: (1) resource confirmation in 2004-2005, (2) feasibility study, permitting and financing in 2005, and (3) project design and construction from 2005 to 2007. 10 figs