NEWS RELEASE

DATE: APRIL 24, 2008                                                                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

TRADING SYMBOLS:  TSX-V ( Canada ): WGP.V         FRANKFURT : WE6.F

GEYSERS “RIG TEST” INDICATES COMMERCIAL WELL

VANCOUVER, Canada , April 24, 2008, TSX Venture Exchange Trading Symbol: WGP – Western GeoPower Corp., a renewable energy development company, today announced that the “rig testing” carried out by independent consultants GeothermEx, Inc. on the WGP-1 well at the Western GeoPower Unit 1 project at The Geysers Geothermal Field in Northern California indicates that the well is a strong producer with an initial steam flow rate of 140,000 lb/hr (63,500 kg/hr) at a wellhead pressure of 137 psia, with a static reservoir pressure of at least 279 psia. Drilling of the well continues and flow testing will occur on completion of the well.

The WGP-1 well has to date been drilled to a depth of 7,060 feet (2,150 m) out of a projected target depth of 11,000 feet (3,350 m). Production casing was set to a depth of 5,000 feet (1,520 m). Several steam zones were encountered between 5,400 feet (1,650 m) and 7,030 feet (2,140 m); additional productive zones may be encountered as the well is deepened further.

“The GeothermEx team is very pleased that the results from this initial well have exceeded our earlier projections as detailed in our feasibility report of October 2006,” said Dr. Subir Sanyal, President of GeothermEx. “In particular, the static reservoir pressure has been shown to be at least 279 psia, compared to 250 psia assumed in the above-mentioned report; therefore, the average stabilized well productivity should be higher than the 70,000 lb/hr estimated earlier. The results also provide encouragement that future wells may continue to reflect similar high productivity characteristics in this region of The Geysers field that has been shut-in for twenty years.”

California-based GeothermEx is a recognized international authority in the evaluation of geothermal resources and has been involved in the development of all the producing geothermal fields in the United States and over 750 projects worldwide.  Their knowledge of The Geysers geothermal field is extensive, having been associated with the development of the field for over 30 years.

“We are very satisfied with the high degree of expertise and foresight that GeothermEx has demonstrated throughout the planning and execution of this successful first well,” said Kenneth MacLeod , President and Chief Executive Officer of Western GeoPower . “The high productivity of the well suggests significant cost savings may be realized through the drilling of fewer wells than anticipated if a similar successful outcome is repeated in future wells.”

The Western GeoPower Unit 1 plant is projected to start commercial operations in early 2010. Previous estimates by GeothermEx suggested a requirement for nine or ten wells at an average of 3.66 MW per well, however, the number will be revised downwards should future well capacities continue to exceed expectations.

The Geysers geothermal field, located 75 miles north of San Francisco , California , is the largest producer of geothermal electricity in the world. Commercial geothermal power has been generated continuously at The Geysers field since 1960, the present generation level being about 900 MWe of clean, baseload electricity. Western GeoPower 's Unit 1 project is situated in the south-western region of The Geysers field in Sonoma County .

 

 

About Western GeoPower Corp.

Western GeoPower Corp. is a renewable energy company dedicated to the development of geothermal energy projects for the delivery of clean, sustainable, baseload electricity generation. The Company is developing The Western GeoPower Unit 1 geothermal power plant at The Geysers Geothermal Field in California , United States and the South Meager Geothermal Project in British Columbia , Canada .

On behalf of Western GeoPower Corp.

“ Kenneth MacLeod ”

Kenneth MacLeod, President & CEO

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release that are forward-looking are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors identified above that reflect the Company’s expectations and projections about its future results.   The Company has tried whenever possible to identify these forward-looking statements which include but are not limited to, words such as “anticipates,” believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “potential,” and similar expressions.  Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  The Company disclaims any obligation or intention to update or to revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available.

 

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information or to be put on our email list, please contact our office: (604) 662-3338 or US/Canada Toll Free: 1-866-662-3322, email: info@geopower.ca Investor Relations: IR@geopower.ca