Ken Miyagashima, former Mayor of Las Cruces, has articulated a vision for utilizing geothermal energy to power desalination plants. In an interview with the New Mexico Suncast, he discussed converting deep underground saline water into a sustainable water source for the state.
"I want to capture that steam that's down there and turn that into power to run the desal plant so that New Mexico will have tons of water," said Miyagashima. "I'm talking about water that has been down in the ground for centuries. there's 90,000mi². That's almost a whole state of water underneath us."
Miyagashima's statement is in line with New Mexico's increasing focus on geothermal energy as a renewable resource. According to a recent report by Project InnerSpace, in collaboration with New Mexico Tech and the New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, the state has the potential to produce 163 gigawatts of geothermal power. This figure is more than 15 times its installed capacity in 2023, positioning New Mexico as a leader in geothermal development.
The integration of geothermal energy with desalination processes is gaining attention due to its efficiency and sustainability. A study published in the journal Energies highlights the viability of using geothermal resources for desalination. It emphasizes that geothermal energy can provide a stable and cost-effective heat source for desalination plants, particularly in arid regions like New Mexico.
New Mexico's underground water resources are extensive. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that the state's groundwater database contains over 850,000 records of wells, springs, and other water sources. This data underscores the potential for tapping into deep saline aquifers for water supply if sustainable extraction methods are employed.
Miyagashima was born Kenneth Daniel Gallegos Miyagashima in 1963 in Biloxi, Mississippi. He served as Mayor of Las Cruces from 2007 until recently and was previously a city councilor from 2001 to 2007 and a Doña Ana County Commissioner from 1995 to 2000.
