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52 Golden Geothermal Sites in Tanzania: Cupid's Arrow Hits the Energy Bullseye

Tanzania Embraces Geothermal Energy: A Path to Sustainable Power By: Robert Buluma Tanzania is taking bold steps toward a cleaner, more reliable energy future by prioritizing geothermal power development. During a recent address at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Annual Meeting of the Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Minister for Energy Deogratius Ndejembi reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to geothermal energy as a key pillar of the country’s energy mix. The minister emphasized that geothermal will help deliver sufficient, affordable, and sustainable electricity while supporting global efforts to transition to clean energy systems. This strategic focus is embedded in major national and international frameworks, including Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050, the 2015 National Energy Policy, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris cl...
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The 2025 U.S. Geothermal Market Report published by the National Laboratory of the Rockies & Geothermal Rising

The 2025 U.S. Geothermal Market Report published by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR, formerly NREL) in collaboration with Geothermal Rising and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), provides a comprehensive update on the geothermal sector since the 2021 report.  By:  Robert Buluma Released in 2025 (with data through mid-2025), it expands coverage to include geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) for single-building and district applications, alongside power generation and direct use. The report highlights steady growth in installed capacity, accelerating investment in next-generation technologies like enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and closed-loop geothermal (CLG), cost declines, policy support, and emerging opportunities driven by demand for reliable, 24/7 clean energy. Geothermal Power Generation: Steady Growth and Momentum U.S. geothermal power has seen consistent expansion, with nameplate installed capacity reaching 3,96...

SMUD and Calpine's Contracts Expansion at The Geysers Geothermal Field

Harnessing Earth's Fury: SMUD and Calpine's Bold Expansion at The Geysers Geothermal Field Deep beneath the rolling hills of Northern California, a primordial force simmers—a vast reservoir of superheated steam, born from the planet's molten core. This is The Geysers, the world's largest geothermal complex, where the Earth's inner heat is tamed to power homes, businesses, and dreams of a cleaner future. In a significant step forward for renewable energy, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and Calpine Corporation have announced an extension and expansion of their power purchase agreement (PPA) for geothermal energy from this iconic site. This partnership boosts capacity, fortifies the grid, and promises reliable, zero-carbon power for decades to come. The Geysers' story blends natural wonder with human innovation. Revered for millennia, the area saw commercial geothermal power generation begin in 1960. Today, the field spans a vast area in the Mayac...

Switch's Bold Move: 13MW Geothermal PPA with Ormat in Nevada – Game-Changer

Switch's Bold Move: Signing a 13MW Geothermal PPA with Ormat Technologies in Nevada – A Game-Changer for Sustainable Data Centers Image: Ormat Power Plant Posted by Alphaxioms Geothermal News on January 12, 2026 Welcome back to Alphaxioms Geothermal News, your go-to source for all things geothermal energy, innovation, and sustainability. As we kick off 2026, the intersection of renewable energy and high-tech industries is heating up—literally. Today, we're diving deep into a groundbreaking announcement that's set to reshape how data centers power their operations. Global data center operator Switch has inked a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Ormat Technologies for 13MW of geothermal power from the Salt Wells geothermal power plant in Nevada. This isn't just another deal; it's a pivotal step toward carbon-free, reliable energy for the AI-driven future. In this comprehensive blog post, we'll unpack the details of this agreement, explore the technolog...

China-Backed OrPower 22 to Start Supplying 35MW Geothermal Power to Kenya in March

Kenya's Geothermal Revolution: How the China-Backed OrPower 22 Plant is Powering a Sustainable Future By: Robert Buluma Kenya stands tall as a leader in Africa's renewable energy journey, with geothermal power taking center stage. Deep within the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley lies one of the continent's most abundant and reliable clean energy resources. Experts estimate Kenya's geothermal potential at over 10,000 MW, yet the country has so far developed only a fraction—approximately 950 MW—placing it among the world's top geothermal producers despite utilizing just a small portion of what nature offers. In this exciting chapter of Kenya's energy story, the OrPower 22 geothermal power plant marks a significant milestone. This 35 MW facility, supported by China's Kaishan Group , is scheduled to start delivering electricity to Kenya Power in March 2026. With the plant now complete and testing set to begin shortly, the $92 million (approximately ...

Versailles Powers Its Historic Legacy with Deep Geothermal Energy: A Model for Sustainable Urban Heating

Versailles Embraces Deep Geothermal Energy to Decarbonize Its District Heating Network By Robert Buluma The historic city of Versailles in France's Yvelines department is taking a bold step toward sustainability. On December 18, 2025, Mayor François de Mazières and Franck Lacroix, Deputy Managing Director of Engie , signed a 32-year concession agreement. This partnership entrusts Engie with transforming, modernizing, and greening the city's district heating network, aiming to slash carbon emissions while providing reliable, renewable heat to residents. At the project's core is deep geothermal energy, harnessing the natural heat from underground aquifers. The site targets the Dogger aquifer, a limestone formation from the Middle Jurassic period, located about 1,500 meters below the Paris Basin. Water in this layer reaches temperatures of around 60°C, making it ideal for heating. The plan involves drilling a geothermal doublet two wells: one to extract hot water and another t...

Włocławek Drills into the Future: Poland’s Bold New Geothermal Quest Begins

Włocławek Goes Deep: Poland's Latest Leap into Geothermal Energy – A Game-Changer for Clean Heating? By: Robert Buluma Deep beneath the historic streets of Włocławek, a quiet revolution is about to begin. On January 7, 2026, the city signed a landmark contract to drill the exploratory geothermal well Włocławek GT-1, plunging approximately 2700 meters into the earth right next to the local heating company, Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Energetyki Cieplnej (MPEC). This isn't just another construction project—it's a bold step toward ditching coal, slashing emissions, and tapping into the Earth's endless heat to warm homes in an eco-friendly way. In the coming days, massive drilling rigs will start humming to life, boring through layers of rock and sediment in search of hot, mineral-rich waters that could completely transform how Włocławek heats its apartments, schools, factories, and public buildings. If the results are positive, this single borehole could open the door to a ...