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Makushin geothermal project in Alaska to kick off early construction work in 2021

Makushin geothermal project in Alaska to kick off early construction work in 2021 Makushin project site, Unalaska/ Alaska, U.S. (source: Ounalashka Corp., Chena Power)
Alexander Richter 25 Jan 2021

The developer of the 30 MW Makushin geothermal power project at Unalaska, in Alaska/ U.S. is planning to initiate early construction work and drill a geothermal resource reconfirmation well in 2021.

In an update on the Makushin geothermal power project at the city of Unalaska in Alaska, U.S., the developers Chena Power and Ounalashka Corporation shared details on the plans for the 30 MW power plant, activities in 2020 and the goals for the project for 2021.

The plant is to replace the need of 3.5 million gallons of diesel fuel for power generation annually, providing green electricity to the city of Unalaska and fuel current and future potential customers.

In its report for 2020, the companies report the following accomplishments for 2020:

  • Assembling a world-class team of professionals and research for the management and successful execution of an alternative energy solution.
  • A 30 year Power Purchase Agreement with the City of Unalaska for geothermal power.
  • Completion of environment, archaeological, biological and physical field surveys for an access road from Broad Bay to the Makushin power plant site.
  • Completion of project design criteria establishing the specification framework for project development participants.
  • Class 3 level project development budget for financial investors.

In 2021, the project plans to acquire major construction permits and substantially complete the access road and the work pad construction. It is planned to drill a geothermal resource reconfirmation well and test it, as well as finalize subsea cable routing and permit requirements.

The project also aims to secure long-term project financing either independently or through collaborative partnerships.

The project site is on private lands owned by Aleut Corporation. With that the project will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency for federal permit processing. The project is though expecting that no environmental impact study will be required due to the low impact of the project.

If everything goes according to plan, the developers plan with a start of commercial operation in Q4 of 2023.

Assuming financing and permitting proceed as anticipated, the project has an estimated date of Q4 2023 to begin commercial operations.

Source: Alaska Business, Project website