PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australia state government has granted ten new exploration permits to companies looking to develop geothermal energy projects in Western Australia.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore said on Monday that the new permits would increase the state’s potential to generate significant new renewable energy supplies.

The new permits granted by the Department of Mines and Petroleum would enhance what was becoming a “robust” geothermal exploration sector, Moore said.

Eight of the new permits were granted to companies exploring the greater Carnarvon Basin in Western Australia’s north, while the remaining two permits focus on the south-east region, near Esperance.

The Carnarvon Basin was the second area of Western Australia released to competitive bidding for geothermal exploration.

Geothermal explorer New World Energy has received seven of the eight permits in this region, while Geothermal Energy received the other.

“These permits cover a combined work area of 34 556 km2 and involve a total work programme expenditure of A$62,6-million across the six-year life of the permits,” the Minister said.

The south-east area was the subject of Western Australia’s third geothermal acreage release. The two permits in this area were granted to Greenpower Energy and cover a combined area of 10 732 km2, with total work programme expenditure of A$42,9-million planned across six years.

“It is encouraging the geothermal sector in this state is gaining new members at the same time as increasing its geographical spread,” Moore concluded.