Fort Nelson First Nation Nabs Federal Funding for 15-MW Geothermal Project – The Energy Mix
The money will be spent on the Clarke Lake field near the community
of Fort Nelson, which is nearing depletion after nearly 60 years of
production, The Canadian Press reports. That, combined with low natural gas prices, has reduced investment and employment from the resource.
of Fort Nelson, which is nearing depletion after nearly 60 years of
production, The Canadian Press reports. That, combined with low natural gas prices, has reduced investment and employment from the resource.
The first full-size geothermal well will be drilled early this year
and commercial operation is expected by late 2024. The project is
expected to generate up to 15 megawatts of green energy, enough to power
up to 14,000 households and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25,000
tonnes.
The project is entirely owned by the Fort Nelson First Nation, with
involvement from the Saulteau First Nation. Fort Nelson Chief Sharleen
Gale said the project will use the skills local workers already have,
redirecting them from fossil fuels to geothermal.