Skip to main content

Just In

Eavor Demobilizes Rigs in Geretsried: What It Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal Investors, Heat Markets, and Project Risk

Eavor Demobilizes Rigs from Geretsried: What It Really Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal For three years, two drilling rigs on a farm estate near Geretsried, a Bavarian town about 40 km south of Munich, stood as the symbol of the world's most ambitious closed-loop geothermal experiment. Now in October 2026,  Eavor Technologies, the Calgary-based developer of the Eavor-Loop, has told the town and its heating utility that both rigs would leave the site . The company said keeping idle rigs and specialist services on site was costly, and that releasing them would help put the project in the strongest position to continue with Loop 2 once its commercial structure is reworked . On the surface, this is a logistics decision. Underneath, it is one of the clearest signals yet about where first-of-a-kind geothermal technology stands, and how hard it is to turn a technical proof into a bankable business. This article explains exactly what happened, what the move means and what it does not mean...

Geothermal Resource Assessment Opportunity at KenGen

"Career Opportunity at KenGen: Geoscientific Manager in Geothermal Energy"


Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) is currently seeking a qualified and experienced individual for the position of Geoscientific Manager in the field of Geothermal Energy. This role comes with a range of exciting responsibilities and requirements, making it an ideal opportunity for seasoned professionals in the geosciences.


Job Description:


As the Geoscientific Manager, the successful candidate will be entrusted with the following key responsibilities:


1. Geoscientific Surface Exploration Programs: Oversee and manage geoscientific surface exploration programs, contributing to the development of conceptual models.


2. Resource Assessment and Development: Direct activities related to resource assessment and development, ensuring efficient utilization of geothermal reservoirs.


3. Geophysical and Geochemical Monitoring: Administer monitoring programs for geophysical and geochemical aspects of the geothermal reservoir, ensuring optimal performance.


4. Steam Quality and Chemical Treatment: Oversee the monitoring of steam quality and chemical treatment programs for power plants, ensuring adherence to quality standards.


5. Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Take charge of GIS, cadastral, cartographic surveys, and related activities, facilitating accurate data representation.


6. Geo-databases Development and Maintenance: Manage the development and maintenance of Geo-databases, ensuring accessibility and accuracy of geological data.


7. Facilitation of Research Projects: Facilitate geoscientific research projects, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field.


Person Specifications:


To qualify for this role, candidates must meet the following requirements:


Experience: Minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant experience, with at least four (4) years in a management role.


-Education: Master’s degree in Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Physics, GIS, Geospatial Engineering, or equivalent from a recognized institution. Bachelor’s degree in a related field is also required.


Additional Qualifications:Postgraduate Diploma in Geothermal Energy Technology, Certification in Leadership from a recognized institution, and relevant professional qualifications and memberships.


Ethical Standards: Must fulfill the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution, demonstrating high ethical standards and integrity.


This is an exciting opportunity for individuals with a strong background in geosciences and a passion for contributing to sustainable energy solutions. If you meet the specified criteria and are ready for a challenging managerial role in the field of geothermal energy, apply now to be part of KenGen's dynamic team.


Note: The deadline for applications and the application process details can be obtained from KenGen's official website or contact their human resources department directly.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Ijen vs Zanskar: Blind Geothermal Energy Discovery and Development

Ijen’s Blind Geothermal System vs. Zanskar’s AI-Discovered Resources: Two Models for Finding Hidden Heat The geothermal industry is entering a new phase in which the most valuable resources may no longer be the fields marked by obvious hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, or steaming ground. Increasingly, developers are targeting “blind” or hidden geothermal systems,reservoirs that lack clear surface expressions but can still contain the temperature, permeability, and fluid needed for commercial power generation. Two examples illustrate how different parts of the industry are approaching this challenge. In Indonesia, the Blawan-Ijen geothermal field in East Java was developed through geological interpretation, magnetotelluric imaging, conceptual modelling, and drilling. The project is now operating commercially, with its first phase delivering approximately 35 MW to the Java grid under a 30-year power purchase agreement.  In the United States, Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals is using...

Eavor Demobilizes Rigs in Geretsried: What It Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal Investors, Heat Markets, and Project Risk

Eavor Demobilizes Rigs from Geretsried: What It Really Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal For three years, two drilling rigs on a farm estate near Geretsried, a Bavarian town about 40 km south of Munich, stood as the symbol of the world's most ambitious closed-loop geothermal experiment. Now in October 2026,  Eavor Technologies, the Calgary-based developer of the Eavor-Loop, has told the town and its heating utility that both rigs would leave the site . The company said keeping idle rigs and specialist services on site was costly, and that releasing them would help put the project in the strongest position to continue with Loop 2 once its commercial structure is reworked . On the surface, this is a logistics decision. Underneath, it is one of the clearest signals yet about where first-of-a-kind geothermal technology stands, and how hard it is to turn a technical proof into a bankable business. This article explains exactly what happened, what the move means and what it does not mean...

Vercana Electric Rig Advances Geothermal Brine Lithium Extraction Economics

Electric-Rig Direct Lithium Extraction From Geothermal Brine: The Economics of Vercana Versus Ormat Vulcan Energy Resources is pursuing an integrated model that combines geothermal drilling, direct lithium extraction, renewable electricity and industrial heat. Through its Vercana subsidiary, the company is also using electric drilling equipment designed to support the development of its Lionheart project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley. The approach differs from the conventional geothermal model represented by Ormat Technologies, whose core business remains geothermal power generation, equipment, project development and energy storage rather than commercial lithium recovery from geothermal brine.  The economic question is broader than whether an electric drilling rig costs less to operate than a diesel rig. The more important issue is whether electric drilling, geothermal energy and direct lithium extraction can create a more valuable integrated project than a conventional geotherm...

IID Secures Major, Local Geothermal Agreement to Strengthen Reliability

IID Secures 86 MW of Geothermal Power in Major Salton Sea Agreement The Imperial Irrigation District has signed 10-year agreements with BHE Renewables, through its CalEnergy subsidiary, to secure 86 megawatts of around-the-clock geothermal power from two established projects in California’s Imperial Valley. The agreement will strengthen IID’s electricity reliability, support renewable-energy compliance and help meet growing demand across the Imperial and Coachella valleys. The new contracts cover 44 MW from the Salton Sea 4 geothermal project and 42 MW from the Leathers geothermal project. Deliveries are scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027, giving IID access to dependable renewable electricity during a period of rising summer demand and increasing pressure on power systems across the American West. The agreement represents an important step in IID’s long-term resource planning. It combines existing geothermal generation with additional capacity from the Yuma Cogeneration facility in ...

California Court Orders New Environmental Review for Imperial County Geothermal Lithium Project

California Appeals Court Orders New Environmental Review for Imperial County Geothermal–Lithium Project Image: California Salton Lake Sea Hell’s Kitchen geothermal and lithium extraction plan sent back for deeper water, air-quality and mitigation analysis under CEQA A California appeals court has ordered Imperial County to conduct a more rigorous environmental review of the proposed Hell’s Kitchen geothermal power plant and lithium extraction project near the Salton Sea. The Fourth District Court of Appeal found that the county’s original environmental impact report (EIR) did not adequately address long-term water availability, enforceable mitigation measures for water shortages, or potential air-quality impacts tied to the receding Salton Sea. The ruling partially reverses a lower court decision and remands the case to Imperial County Superior Court, requiring the county and project developer Controlled Thermal Resources to address the identified deficiencies before the project can m...

Geothermal Projects In Africa, Countries Overview

 Geothermal Projects in Africa: Country-wise Overview By : Robert Buluma Africa is increasingly turning to geothermal energy as a sustainable solution to meet its growing electricity demands. With abundant geothermal resources spread across the continent, several countries have embarked on ambitious projects to harness this clean and renewable energy source. Let's delve into the geothermal projects in various African countries, highlighting key players and prospects. Algeria Algeria is exploring its geothermal potential, particularly in the northern regions. Although in the early stages, initiatives are underway to assess feasibility and potential locations for geothermal power plants.  Burundi Burundi has shown interest in developing its geothermal resources, primarily in the northwest region near Lake Tanganyika. The government is actively seeking partnerships with international firms to kickstart exploration and development efforts. Comoros The Comoros Islands are situated ...

Maryland Geothermal Rebate Program 2026: Residential Heating and Cooling Incentives Drive Strong Demand

Maryland’s Geothermal Rebate Program  FY26 Geothermal Rebate Program is entering its final stretch with funding already oversubscribed, which is a strong sign that homeowner interest in geothermal heating and cooling is rising quickly in the state.  The program offers a $3,000 rebate for eligible new geothermal heating and cooling systems for Maryland residents in single-family detached homes and townhomes, but the application portal is now closed while the state works through the existing queue. That update matters because it shows how incentive programs can move from a policy idea into real household demand very quickly. A program with a $150,000 budget does not usually run out of room unless homeowners, contractors, and installers all see geothermal as a practical investment. In Maryland’s case, the fact that requests exceeded the full FY26 budget suggests the market is responding to both energy-cost concerns and long-term efficiency goals. What the program offers The Maryl...

Endurance Energy Tests World's First Subsea Geothermal Well at Axial Seamount

Endurance Energy Tests the World's First Subsea Geothermal Well: What the Axial Seamount Demonstration Really Proved What if geothermal energy did not need a power plant on land? What if electricity could be produced directly from the Earth's heat beneath the ocean, with generators sitting on the seafloor and sending power to coastal grids? On October 19, 2026, Seattle-based startup Endurance Energy announced a major step toward that idea. The company said it had drilled and completed the world's first subsea geothermal well and placed a 3-ton test power plant nearly a mile beneath the Pacific. It also reported net-positive electricity from heat at an active underwater volcano, according to its announcement on PR Newswire. The headline numbers are modest. The Adélie prototype produced more electricity than it used for about 8.7 seconds. During that time it delivered a median net output of about 2 kilowatts and a peak of 16.5 kilowatts. One detail matters more than any other...

"US Geothermal Tax Credits 2026: What the IRA/45Q Changes Mean for Developers"

US Geothermal Tax Credits in 2026: What Is Actually Still Alive After OBBBA For an industry that spent more than a decade building financial models around a stable federal incentive structure, 2026 has been a year of whiplash. The 30% federal geothermal tax credit that developers and homeowners built forecasts around is gone in one form and still alive in another, and even the IRS’s own public guidance has been confusing enough to trigger uncertainty across the market. That confusion is not a minor clerical issue. It is shaping investment decisions, contractor sales pitches, homeowner timelines, and project finance assumptions right now. If you work in geothermal, the key question is no longer whether federal incentives exist, but which incentive applies, to which project type, and under what ownership structure. The law that changed the timeline To understand where things stand in 2026, you have to start with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which created a long runway for clean e...

KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Geothermal Wells Over Licence Error

KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Wells Over 18-Year Licence Blunder Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) faces a serious legal and operational risk at Olkaria after an error in the coordinates of its geothermal licence left part of the company’s wells, steam infrastructure and other assets outside its legally recognised area. The licensing mistake, made nearly two decades ago, remains unresolved despite the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum acknowledging the problem in 2017.  The dispute has raised questions about the security of KenGen’s investments, the government’s management of geothermal resources and the potential consequences for Kenya’s electricity supply. Olkaria is the country’s most important geothermal centre and accounts for the overwhelming majority of Kenya’s installed geothermal generation capacity.  Licence Error Exposes Strategic Assets The problem dates back to September 19, 2008, when the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum issued KenGen a licence covering ...