TAQA GEOTHERMAL, Saudi Arabia announced in a statement that, KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) and TAQA GEOTHERMAL break ground shallow well to study geothermal energy potential in Saudi Arabia.
Drilling the first well named K-GEP#1 commenced on 18 February 2024 by the groundbreaking ceremony event to execute the 400 meters deep observation well on KAUST campus. The event saw the attendance and support of KAUST President Dr Tony Chan and TAQA Geothermal CEO Meshary Al-Ayed, in addition to distinguished members from both KAUST faculty and TAQA management.
In addition of being a test case for future geothermal energy extraction in Saudi Arabia, the project is further designed to test new technologies, workflows for geology and seismology research, providing new knowledge on processing and analysis.
“Geothermal provides critical baseload energy available even when the sun does not shine or the wind does not blow,” said KAUST Research Professor in Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering, Thomas Finkbeiner.
TAQA Geothermal CEO and Managing Director, Meshary AlAyed commented; “Commencement of drilling of this observation well on KAUST campus marks the real groundbreaking of the ambitious geothermal exploration project. Partnering with KAUST is a testament of our joint alignment on harnessing alternative sustainable energy sources for benefit of the Kingdom while advancing technology, research, and private sector partnerships.”
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