Whitebark adds renewable energy expertise to its team

Whitebark Energy has added a tactical renewable energy project to its board with the appointment of Professor Rosalind Archer as a non-executive director to help turbocharge its geothermal and green hydrogen projects. Archer’s professional experience includes over 25 years of academic, technical and commercial experience in the renewable energy sector. He is currently Dean of Academic Affairs at Griffith University in Queensland in the Sciences Group, holds a PhD in Petroleum Engineering from Stanford University and is a Non-Executive Director of New Zealand Oil & Gas.

Management says Archer brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in geothermal energy and renewable technologies, as well as innovative research capabilities and practical insight into geothermal systems.

Just last week, the company detailed its strategic shift away from its traditional oil and gas business to focus on commercial opportunities in the green hydrogen and renewable energy sectors. It has signed a binding purchase and sale agreement with Conflux Energy Corp, under which the latter will acquire a 90% interest in Whitebark’s Wizard Lake oil and gas assets in the Canadian province of Alberta.

“The appointment of Rosalind Archer signals a step forward in our mission to drive innovation and sustainability in the energy sector.”

Whitebark Energy CEO Mark Lindh

Management says Archer’s understanding of the hydrogen economy will be critical to integrating gas production into its existing geothermal energy portfolio and exploiting synergies between geothermal energy and green hydrogen production.

Whitebark Energy CEO Mark Lindh said: “The appointment of Rosalind Archer signals a significant step forward in our mission to drive innovation and sustainability in the energy sector. Her leadership will play a key role in navigating the complex renewable energy landscape, fostering collaboration and advancing our research and development initiatives. We are confident that her contributions will push Whitebark Energy toward achieving our goals of becoming a leader in geothermal energy and hydrogen production.”

The company’s aim is to produce green hydrogen early on at its Queensland tenements using geothermal energy and to be the first company in Australia to commission a commercial geothermal project.

Its initial focus is on 100% owned geothermal and hydrogen companies – registered as “EPG2049” – in the Cooper Basin in Queensland. According to Geoscience Australia, this is an area with high potential for renewable hydrogen.

Just last month, Whitebark secured an additional permit application in the Cooper Basin for geothermal exploration, which adds a further 1,776 square kilometers and 573 sub-blocks, bringing its total Queensland portfolio to approximately 6,240 square kilometers.

Management believes that Archer’s technical expertise and strategic foresight will provide a solid foundation for its ambitious geothermal projects, ensuring that they are both technically sound and economically viable.

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