March 5, 2015 – The Canadian government announced today it would be funding a new research and development project for renewable sources of natural geothermal energy in Yukon.

The Government of Yukon’s Department of Energy, Mines and Resources‘ Energy Branch will work in cooperation with the Yukon Geological Survey and the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association to develop maps and reports that will identify sources of renewable energy.  

The project will contribute to economic development and energy security in the territory, said Yukon MP Ryan Leef, who made the announcement on behalf of Leona Aglukkaq, minister for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency.

In addition to CanNor’s funding of $126,000 over two years, the Government of Yukon is investing up to $18,000, and the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association is investing $13,150.  With contributions from other funders, a total of $168,000 is being invested in this project.

“This project will build the knowledge base required for companies who have an interest in geothermal energy production,” said Scott Kent, Yukon’s minister of Energy, Mines and Resources. “The initial mapping will significantly decrease the costs associated with geothermal exploration and help promote development of this renewable resource.”

The government quoted Yukon’s Takhini Hot Springs as an example of a project that already uses geothermal energy for heat and power and as such will be able to provide its existing data to help with the creation of this new study.