Megawatt: British Columbia Renewable Energy Law Blog : BC Renewable Energy Blog : Clark Wilson Law Firm : Green Power, Natural Energy

Last week's sold out geothermal energy workshop in Toronto organized by CanGEA brought national attention to the Canadian geothermal energy sector. Gary Thompson, President of Sierra Geothermal Power Corp. and Ross Beaty, Chairman and CEO of Magma Energy Corp., both Vancouver based companies, were interviewed in Toronto on the Business News Network and discussed the global opportunities presented by geothermal energy. Here is the video link for the very interesting discussion.

In addition, the Globe and Mail reported that recent financings and significant US government incentives are fuelling increased interest in the global geothermal energy industry. In Canada, unlike in the United States and around the world however, utility grade geothermal energy projects do not yet exist despite excellent resources and a willing industry.  The development of geothermal energy in British Columbia and Canada is challenged in part by the existing regulatory framework and the complex permitting process.  With continued attention to this clean and green base load energy source, the Canadian geothermal energy industry hopes to overcome present barriers and create a strong geothermal industry in this country.

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Last week, along with approximately 150 others, I attended the first ever CanGEA Geothermal Energy Conference at the new convention centre in Vancouver. It was a tremendous three day event, consisting of a workshop and open house, an industry day and a technical program. By all indication, the geothermal industry is well served by CanGEA. 

Geothermal energy, not to be confused with its cousin geo-exchange, is capable of utility-scale generation of electricity.  What is unique (and great) about geothermal energy is that it is low-impact, base load (ie, non-intermittent), cost-effective and widely available. It really is the "greenest" of all renewable power.  About 10 GW of geothermal electric capacity is installed around the world as of 2007, generating 0.3% of global electricity demand. The US, Philippines and Indonesia are the global leaders in installed geothermal electric capacity.  And because of its geographic location on earth, British Columbia is home to some world class geothermal energy resources. 

While there are no geothermal facilities currently generating electricity in the province, I am aware of two BC publicly traded companies currently conducting geothermal exploration in British Columbia Western GeoPower has operations which are close to commercial viability at South Meager Creek (north of Pemberton). It is also developing a 35MW geothermal plant in the Geysers region of northern California.  Sierra Geothermal Power Corp. recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Da'naxda'xw/Awaetlala Nation to develop geothermal power projects on their traditional lands, covering approximately 800,000 hectares (2 million acres) in the Knight Inlet area of British Columbia.

In my view, it is time that British Columbia and Canada (there are also good resources in the North) catch up to the rest of the world and put geothermal energy on the renewable energy to do list. The opportunities for this home based green energy natural resource are too good to pass up. Now is the time to move towards CanGEA's goal of 5,000 MW of installed geothermal energy resources by 2015. I truly believe with a little help, such as the federal government renewing the EcoEnergy for Renewable Power program, this can be done.

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