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New report states 1,700 MW geothermal potential for Yukon, Canada

New report states 1,700 MW geothermal potential for Yukon, Canada Main Street in Whitehorse, Yukon/ Canada (source: flickr/ Arthur Chapman, creative commons)
Alexander Richter 5 May 2016

New report provides an estimated potential for geothermal power generation of up to 1,700 MW for the Yukon territory in the Northwest of Canada.

The Government of Yukon and the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) released a report today on the potential for geothermal energy in Yukon.

“Geothermal energy is a clean and sustainable resource that has the potential to generate heat and power while reducing energy costs in Yukon,” Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Scott Kent said. “This research contributes to the knowledge we need to explore and develop this local renewable resource.”

The Yukon Geothermal Opportunities and Applications Report, researched and written by the CanGEA, addresses the economic, social and environmental feasibility of harnessing renewable geothermal energy for heat and power generation.

According to CanGEA’s report, Yukon’s geothermal potential could be more than 1,700 MW of energy. This is equivalent to 18 times the current energy supplied by Yukon’s renewable electrical system (90 MW).

“Yukon is the third jurisdiction in Canada to assess and identify its geothermal resource potential,” Kent added. “Based on limited, available data, CanGEA’s conservative estimate of Yukon’s geothermal energy potential represents an important renewable resource in meeting the territory’s current and future energy needs.”

New favourability maps published on the Canadian National Geothermal Database provide geological, geophysical and environmental information for identifying and evaluating Yukon’s geothermal potential.

The project was funded by the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, the Government of Yukon and the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association with contributions from the Yukon Energy Corporation and the Takhini Hot Pools.

This geothermal initiative is part of the Yukon government’s broader effort to increase renewable energy and to achieve energy security and self-reliance as per the Energy Strategy for Yukon and Climate Change Action Plan.

Learn more: Yukon Geothermal Opportunities and Applications report and favourability maps

Source: Government of Yukon/ Canada