The Ta'an Kwäch'än Council, Da Daghay Development Corporation, in partnership with the Yukon Geological Survey, is undertaking a study of geothermal heat flow in the Whitehorse area. The multidisciplinary study will provide some of the information needed to assess potential geothermal energy opportunities in the territory. One component of the project involves drilling a deep monitoring well to directly measure ground temperature.
Drilling of the well is underway at a site about three kilometres west of the Takhini Hot Springs on Settlement Land of the Ta'an Kwäch'än Council. Down-hole temperatures will be monitored for up to a year in partnership with the Da Daghay Development Corporation to determine geothermal gradient in this location.
Funding for the project is through the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada.
Quotes
"This will be the first deep geothermal monitoring well in Yukon. The data collected there will allow us to forecast the potential that geothermal might offer to Yukon's energy mix. In addition, this partnership will allow the Government of Yukon and Ta'an Kwach'an Council to work together on improving the territory's future economic prosperity by accessing our clean energy options."
-Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai
"The Ta'an Kwäch'än Council is pleased to be collaborating with the Yukon Geological Survey to help determine the potential for geothermal energy in this region. We support the concept of renewable energy and the information we learn will help with our resource management planning and possibly identify new economic opportunities on our settlement land."
-Ta'an Kwäch'än Council Chief Kristina Kane
"Da Daghay is proud to be partnering with Yukon government in this important study. Keeping up with the precedent for local procurement, we have sourced all the contracts locally. We are excited to see what new economic development opportunities this study will present us in the future."
-Da Daghay Development Corporation CEO Ben Asquith
Quick facts
- The drilling started October 30 and will take up to three weeks; then a thermistor string will be installed down-hole to measure ground temperature for up to one year.
- Ground temperature data will be available to the public as the project progresses.
- The site will be remediated immediately after the temperature monitoring is complete; only a small well cap will remain after remediation.
- Project funding from the Government of Canada is provided through the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) as part of a larger investment in northern geoscience projects. For more information, please see the news release and backgrounder, available online at http://www.canada.ca/en/news.html
Learn more: Geothermal Energy Yukon
Contact:
Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca
Jesse Devost
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-667-5307
jesse.devost@gov.yk.ca
Ben Asquith
CEO, Da Daghay Development Corporation
867-332-7898
dadaghay@northwestel.net
Lian Goodall
Communications Officer, Ta'an Kwäch'än Council
867-668-3613
communicationsoffice@taan.ca
