TERRACE – Kitselas Geothermal Inc. is receiving $3.6 million from the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) to harness geothermal energy for commercial use.
With the funding, Kitselas Geothermal will drill production wells to harness geothermal energy and the project is expected to generate over 170 new jobs, including for Indigenous workers.
“Development of the ‘Fuel for Reconciliation’ geothermal energy project is a significant step towards Kitselas First Nation’s economic independence,” states Kitselas Director Alison Thompson. “The project also contributes to BC’s and Canada’s transition towards clean energy by demonstrating technology, training highly qualified professionals, and providing a proving ground for regulatory reform that will benefit both future project phases and other geothermal projects elsewhere in the country.”
Established in 2016, Kitselas Geothermal is decarbonizing local industry to provide social, environmental and economic benefits to Kitselas First Nation and the region. The project’s first phase, Fuel for Reconciliation, is designed to replace 270,000 gigajoules per year of natural gas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 13,000 tonnes per year.
Exploration wells have been drilled in BC to explore the province’s geothermal energy potential. High potential sites have been identified in every region of the province. Geothermal energy is heat contained below the earth’s surface. It is a clean and renewable form of energy and BC is well positioned to become a leader in developing geothermal energy because the province sits along the Pacific Ocean “Ring of Fire,” an area with significant geothermal energy potential because of volcanoes.
Business Examiner Staff