Reexploring the Geothermal Potential of West Malaysia

Abstract

Unlike adjacent countries as Indonesia or as the Philippines that cover 27% of its electricity supply, the assessment and later utilisation of renewable geothermal resources in Malaysia remains still a hidden treasure. In order to assist the Malaysian government on striving to reduce 40% of CO2 until 2020 by considering geothermal energy, our first surface-near reconnaissance study sets the initial milestone outlining its potential for Peninsula Malaysia. A geothermal map indicating the existence of two potential fault lineaments (NNW-SSE and E-W) is devised. This map is shaped by 57 mostly lined-up hot spring areas which are explored in detail. The temperature of the aquifers (sub-surface temperature) in at least 13 hot springs areas is measured to be at least 100 ºC which is a prerequisite for viable clean electricity production based on novel ORC- or Kalina Cycles. In at least 7 most promising cases, resistivity profile research can tell in 2012 if the depth of the necessary rigs to be drilled might be less than 100 m which translates into cost-effectiveness. Even if it turns out that the geothermal potential of Peninsula Malaysia can nowhere be used for renewable energy, it can be reconsidered for tourism, green district cooling and aquaculture.