Beijing plans to spend 163 million yuan (US$19.6 million) on geothermal resources to heat, clean and refrigerate the Olympic Garden, one of the main venues for the 2008 Olympic Games.

This use of clean energy resources will begin with two 3,500-meter-deep geothermal exploratory wells that will be dug this month in the eastern part of the Olympic Garden, said a local offical. The full project will begin in 2004.

The project will use underground natural resources such as steam and hot springs to heat and cool buildings, he said.

Construction of the geothermal heating project, which will heat 400,000 square meters at stadiums and gymnasiums in the Olympic Garden, will be completed by 2006. The project will meet Beijing's commitments to energy and environmental protection set by the International Olympic Committee.

Over 10,000 people will also be able to enjoy hot-spring bathing thanks to the project, said Chen Jianping, director of the Geothermal Department at the Beijing Municipal Bureau of State Land, Resources and Housing.

By 2008, 160 geothermal wells will be completed in the city, according to the Sub-plan on Energy Development and Energy Mix Readjustment of Beijing Games' Action Plan drawn up in September.

As one of the six capitals in the world where geothermal resources have been put into use, Beijing now has 10 geothermal hot spots where water can reach over 50 degrees centigrade, according to sources at Chen's bureau.

Although geothermal resources are one of the universally recognized clean energies, experts have advised adopting various measures to avoid any possible negative impact on the environment from geothermal energy exploitation.

"Geothermal reinjection should be promoted in Beijing to achieve the sustainable development of geothermal resources and reduce any possible pollution," said Bin Dezhi, an expert with the Geothermal Committee of the China Mining Association.

Excessive exploitation of underground hot spots without immediate reinjection could possibly cause environmental problems. The water used in reinjection must also be confirmed as clean to prevent new water pollution, experts warned.

Chen said overall plans for geothermal resource exploitation in Beijing include strict registration and examination requirements on such projects.

The amount of new geothermal wells per year will be controlled at less than 20, Chen added.

Other than geothermal energy, natural gas, electricity, solar energy, wind power and biomass energy will also be integrated for the Olympics, according to the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2008 Olympic Games.

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