Green” light given for clean energy search in Adelaide

  Adelaide could have a new supply of “clean and green” energy on its own doorstep under a licence announced today between the South Australian Government and geothermal exploration company, Torrens Energy.The South Australian Government has granted Torrens a licence to begin searching for a new “hot rocks” renewable energy source in the Port Adelaide area.Torrens Energy specifically targeted the area, which includes the industrial suburbs of Gillman, Osborne and Wingfield, as it is well known for its high heat flow, and its proximity to Pelican Point, a site the company said it believes remains viable for a future water desalination plant.Torrens Energy Chief Executive Officer, Chris Matthews said the granting of the licence represented a milestone in growth for the company. “This is an historic day for the state, as our project is the first significant zero-emissions renewable energy venture in the Adelaide metropolitan area,” Mr Matthews said.“We believe our project area has the potential to provide a clean, geothermal-based, green energy source that could potentially provide baseload power for Adelaide, with no fuel needs of its own, zero emissions, and no waste materials,” he said.Mr Matthews said the granting of the exploration licence did not provide approval for any drilling in the area, which includes parts of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and the Torrens Island Conservation Park. Additional approvals by the State Government, including adherence to stringent regulatory and environmental guidelines, are required should Torrens wish to undertake a drilling program in the future.