Geothermal Energy: The Renewable and Cost Effective Alternative to Hydro Dams

The Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) has produced a 60-page report assessing the geothermal potential of British Columbia. The report highlights how the provinces geothermal reserves are a much more cost effective alternative to the site C dam.

This report builds upon Joint Review Panel (JRP) of the Site C Clean Energy Hearings. The hearings concluded that: “a failure to pursue research over the last 30 years into B.C.’s geothermal resources has left BC Hydro without information about a resource the BC Hydro thinks may offer up to 700 megawatts of firm, economic power with low environmental costs.” 

CanGEA was granted interested party status at the JRP hearings, and this conclusion largely stems from CanGEA’s submissions. CanGEA considers this number, or 700 megawatts, low. To ensure the true value of geothermal energy is assessed, CanGEA has released The 10 Advantages of Geothermal Energy not Considered by BC Hydro or the Joint Review Panel. Seven of these are economic considerations and the other three address socioeconomic and environmental considerations.