Geothermal energy wells being built in Beaver County
Jul 3, 2024, 9:29 AM

Fervo Energy geothermal site under construction near Milford, Utah. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt, File)
(AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt, File)
BEAVER COUNTY, Utah — One of the country’s largest geothermal energy projects is being built in Beaver County.
125 different wells are being sunk near Milford. Geothermal is not as clean as wind and solar, but Dusty Monks, the interim director for Utah’s Office of Energy Development said geothermal is more reliable.
“It produces power 24 hours a day. And, that power’s dispatchable,” said Monks. “So, it’s more predictable. It’s more aligned with what a consumer needs … Their need never ends (and) never sleeps.”
As for building costs, Monks said we already know a bit about drilling for oil, which will help with that.
“It’s kind of exciting to be able to utilize that type of technology to really unlock what’s potential in Utah,” Monks said. “And, Utah has a significant amount of it.”
He emphasizes we won’t be exclusively using geothermal energy.
“There is a high demand for energy,” Monks said. “So Utah is definitely making sure that we’re focusing on a proactive growth pattern, and trying to avoid the destructive removal pattern that we’re seeing across the country.”
Gas, coal, and renewable energy all have a place in Utah’s energy future, especially as our population grows.
Michael Camit is a reporter for KSL NewsRadio.