Geothermal power may play big part soon

Age
Monday 2/4/2007 Page: 2

Geothermal energy could meet up to 10 per cent of Australia's electricity consumption by 2050, the Federal Government believes. And unlike other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, geothermal sources have the potential to meet baseload power (24 hours) needs.

Canberra last week hosted the first meeting of the geothermal industry round table. Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane and Environment and Water Resources Minister Malcolm Turnbull hosted the meeting. Mr Macfarlane said the Government would work with industry on a geothermal industry development framework that would act as a guide for the long- term development of this emerging energy sector, dominated by potential hot-rock developments.

The Government has invested more than $27 million in research and development in geothermal energy projects since 2000. Mr Turnbull said a key benefit of geothermal energy was its ability to produce energy without greenhouse gas emissions. "Large-scale geothermal power plants have the potential to substantially reduce Australia's carbon dioxide emissions," he said. "The success of the sector will depend on the readiness of industry, research and government to work together," Mr Macfarlane said.