June 2022

In June 2022, Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, announced a $5-million investment in Novus Earth to execute a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the Latitude 53 geothermal energy project in the community of Hinton, Alberta.

Funding provided for the Latitude 53 Project will assist Novus Earth in its continued exploration of the geothermal resource and will provide critical resources to advance the project. Specifically, the funds will assist in de-risking the project through technical feasibility and FEED studies, as well as through supporting community engagement and skilled training initiatives essential to the success of the project.

The socio-economic benefits to Hinton and the surrounding Indigenous communities supported by the project are made possible through skill development, educational and curriculum opportunities, long-term employment and enhanced equality, diversity and inclusion.

Novus Earth and Mitacs National Research Organization are also contributing to the project, bringing the total investment to nearly $6.6 million.

March 2022

In early 2022, the Town of Hinton was approached by Novus Earth, an Alberta-based renewable energy company with a proposed project to develop a 400,000sqft vertical farming facility, heated by geothermal energy, in Hinton.

This innovative project aims to bring together closed-loop geothermal technology and state-of-the-art aquaponics to grow organic, highly nutritious, and affordable local produce and seafood. The project also intends to provide a sustainable source of heat for community buildings.
An Open House about the proposed project was held by Novus Earth on March 16, 2022 at the Hinton Centre, with presentations by Novus representatives and opportunities for the community to ask questions.
More information on Novus Earth's proposed project can be found on their website here.

November 2018

At the November 20, 2018 Regular Council Meeting, Epoch Energy presented the findings of the FEED report and Council accepted the report as information.

Conclusions of the report found that due to unexpected localized geological formations in Hinton, and a lack of suitable or available existing wells, a geothermal supplied district energy system (DES) as originally scoped would not be feasible. View the full FEED Report Here 

February 2018

On February 6, 2018, Western Economic Diversification Canada, The Government of Alberta, and Alberta Innovates together made a monumental announcement, described by Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Baines as “ground-breaking”; a cross governmental partnership representing an investment of 1.2 million to determine the viability of a Geothermal District Energy System in Hinton. 

(See the full release, including comments from the Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office as well as Alberta Innovates here.)

 The Feed Study went ahead in Quarter 1 of 2018. Results from the FEED study would help Hinton understand what infrastructure could be connected to the geothermal district heating system, should it proceed to development. Such buildings may include schools, government buildings, the hospital, community centres and the seniors centre. It is expected to be completed in Quarter 3 2018.
 

February 2017

On February 7, 2017, Representatives from Epoch Energy presented an update to Hinton Town Council on the progress and plans for the Geothermal Study. You can find the full presentation here.
 
The Town of Hinton has announced a partnership with Epoch Energy to advance Hinton Geothermal; an innovative district energy heating system leveraging heat energy from deep, hot reservoirs in the Hinton area as well as a future goal of geothermal power generation. Hinton’s location is central to oil and gas exploration, well bore infrastructure, and the requisite geology to be repurposed for geothermal energy—an approach that is creative and novel in its vision. View the announcement here.
 

October 2016

On October 12, 2016, Hinton Town Council directed Administration to provide $225,000 from the Automated Traffic Enforcement reserve to fund the Pre-FEED study to determine the feasibility of the Hinton Geothermal District Energy Project. The feasibility study would provide Hinton Town Council with important information and analysis including options, risks and opportunities with financial implications of the Hinton Geothermal District Energy Project. It would be a key resource in support of grant funding applications from the Provincial and Federal Governments. Learn more about the Pre-FEED study here.

September 2016

On September 6, 2016, Dr. Jonathan Banks returned to Hinton to present preliminary findings of capacity and potential of the Devonian Basin. His presentation, including heat mapping and regional information, is available in the meetings agenda, available here.

August 2015

In August 2015, a letter of intent was signed, representing a $25,000 contribution into the evaluation of this potential. Hinton was not alone in this initial investment, with other regional bodies like the County of Grande Prairie and MD of Greenview also committed to investigate the potential of this developing opportunity. And the data that came back looked promising. View the meeting minutes here. 

June 2015

On the June 23, 2015, then Mayor Rob Mackin and Hinton Town Council 2013-2017 heard a presentation during their standing committee meeting from Dr. Jonathan Banks of the University of Alberta. Dr. Banks introduced geothermal and described why he believed Hinton had the potential to turn heat, emanating from deep beneath the earth’s surface, into something no one else had done before in this country. Read more in the meeting minutes, available here.