Longreach Leader
Friday 18/1/2008 Page: 11
THE Queensland Government is calling for tenders for 13 geothermal exploration sites - one of which is southwest of Longreach and another three near Birdsville. The latest releases bring to 33 the number of sites considered promising for geothermal energy, a renewable, clean energy source supported by the government. "The geothermal industry is a sunrise industry for Queensland and the Bligh Government is backing it all the way," Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson said.
"It faces a bright future because it has the potential to produce more base-load energy than any other renewable energy source." Areas with geothermal potential are identified by using temperature data obtained from petroleum wells and artesian bores, according to a Department of Mines and Energy spokesperson. "Potential geothermal targets are granites with high temperatures, and the best prospects have temperatures above 220 degree centigrade at five kilometres depth", he said.
Geothermal is considered a clean alternative to coal because its production does not emit harmful greenhouse gasses, which would help in the fight against climate change. Queensland is home to the majority of Australia's hot rocks and Mr Wilson believes it has the potential to provide one fifth of Australia's total electricity needs over the next 25 years. "Indeed, initial estimates indicate that the hot dry rocks beneath the Eromanga and Cooper basins could meet all of Australia's energy needs for many years into the future," he said.
Tenders close on February 18.
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