Study into Birdsville’s unique geothermal power plant

Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson told national mining conference in Brisbane today that the State Government strongly supports geothermal and petroleum exploration.

The Minister said a feasibility study was underway into expanding Ergon Energy’s geothermal power plant in Birdsville – the only working power station of its type in the world.

“It supplies around one quarter of the town’s electricity needs and the study will examine the feasibility of upgrading to a new, more efficient model that can generate enough capacity to supply all of the town’s electricity needs,” Mr Wilson said.

“Community consultation on the proposal has begun and geotechnical investigations are also under way.

“Geothermal energy is considered a potential source of renewable energy for Australia,” he said.

Consultants Sinclair Knight Mertz had been appointed to undertake a thorough investigation of the GreatArtesianBasin hot water resource to determine electricity generation capabilities,” he said.

Sinclair Knight Mertz has extensive experience with geothermal power in various parts of the world including New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia and South-east Asia as well as experience in the GreatArtesianBasin.

The Minister said the study would also look at issues such as the location and depth of a new bore, potential artesian water flow rate and temperature, electricity generating potential, potential impacts on the artesian basin and what kind of geothermal power station technology would be most appropriate and effective.

The final report is due by the end of March.

Mr Wilson said the mining and petroleum sectors made a major contribution to the state’s economy and were vital to Queensland’s future prosperity.

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