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Papua New Guinea urged to use its geothermal potential

Papua New Guinea urged to use its geothermal potential Lihir Gold mine, Papua New Guinea
Alexander Richter 25 Mar 2010

Papua New Guinea's government is being encouraged to consider using the country's geothermal reservoirs as a major source of renewable energy in the future.

In news from Australia, “Papua New Guinea’s government is being encouraged to consider using the country’s geothermal reservoirs as a major source of renewable energy in the future.

Geothermal energy involves using heat from within the earth – like hot water or steam – to heat buildings or generate power.

Gibson Porkime, a geothermal engineer, says the government should look seriously into its potential.

One of Australia’s leading geothermal energy companies, Kuth Energy, has carried out some exploration work in Papua New Guinea.

Managing director David McDonald says PNG has huge potential for geothermal power generation for the future.

“I think the real benefit that exists for PNG longer term is that much of your mining is driven by diesel generation and that’s an extremely expensive cost for that industry to develop,” he said.

“So it’s going to need a much lower cost base load supply, and frankly geothermal is one of the answers to that.”

Source: ABC Radio Australia