THE state government has announced the first release of acreage for geothermal exploration. The acreage stretches from south of Kalbarri down to Dunsborough and goes inland about 250km. It has been divided in 495 lots, each with an area of 320sq km. Explorers can bid for any lot within the acreage if they believe it has good potential for geothermal energy. Resources and Energy Minister Francis Logan said the opening of geothermal acreage would signal the beginning of a dynamic clean energy industry in WA. “Geothermal power systems are basically closed systems without emissions,” Mr Logan said. “It is one of the cleanest forms of energy possible.” A second acreage area, in the Carnarvon basin region, will be released later this year.
