TAQA and KAUST to Unlock Saudi Arabia Geothermal Potential

Unlocking Saudi Arabia's Geothermal Energy Potential: A Partnership Between TAQA GEOTHERMAL and KAUST

In a landmark collaboration, TAQA GEOTHERMAL and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have embarked on a pioneering journey to explore Saudi Arabia's geothermal energy potential. This ambitious endeavor, announced on February 20, 2024, signals a significant step towards diversifying the Kingdom's energy sources and fostering sustainable development.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the project marked the commencement of drilling the first observation well, named K-GEP#1, on the KAUST campus. This well, reaching a depth of 400 meters, will serve as a crucial test case for evaluating the feasibility of geothermal energy extraction in the region. The event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including KAUST President Dr. Tony Chan and TAQA Geothermal CEO Meshary Al-Ayed, alongside notable members from both organizations.

Dr. Thomas Finkbeiner, a Research Professor in Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering at KAUST, emphasized the significance of geothermal energy as a reliable baseload power source, available irrespective of weather conditions. This sentiment underscores the importance of leveraging alternative energy solutions to meet the Kingdom's growing demand while reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels.

Meshary Al-Ayed, CEO and Managing Director of TAQA Geothermal, highlighted the collaborative spirit driving the project forward. The partnership between TAQA and KAUST exemplifies a shared commitment to advancing technology, research, and private sector engagement in pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.

Beyond its immediate implications for energy production, the project aims to foster innovation in geology and seismology research, paving the way for future technological advancements. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and workflows, the initiative promises to yield valuable insights into the geological landscape of Saudi Arabia and its potential for renewable energy extraction.

For stakeholders keen on staying updated with the latest developments, the project offers various channels for engagement, including WhatsApp, Google News, and social media platforms. By leveraging digital platforms, TAQA GEOTHERMAL and KAUST aim to foster greater transparency and accessibility, inviting stakeholders to participate in the journey towards a sustainable energy future.

You want to learn on what's latest in Geothermal? You can read this article Kamojangs Geothermal Hydrogen Power Plant In Operations

As Saudi Arabia continues to pursue its Vision 2030 goals, initiatives like the TAQA GEOTHERMAL-KAUST partnership exemplify the Kingdom's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and economic diversification. By harnessing the power of geothermal energy, Saudi Arabia is not only unlocking a new frontier in energy production but also laying the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable future.

Source: Alphaxioms

Comments

Meta and XGS Energy Partner on 150 MW Geothermal Power Project in New Mexico

Meta and XGS Energy Partner on 150 MW Geothermal Power Project in New Mexico A Game-Changer for AI, Clean Energy, and the Future By Robert Buluma – Alphaxioms Energy Blog In a bold move that signals the future of energy and technology convergence, XGS Energy and Meta Platforms, Inc. have announced a groundbreaking agreement to develop 150 megawatts (MW) of next-generation geothermal energy in New Mexico. This partnership not only promises to reshape the state's energy landscape but also underscores the growing demand for sustainable, round-the-clock power to fuel the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven economies. Clean Power Without Water – XGS’s Unique Edge At the heart of this partnership lies XGS Energy’s proprietary solid-state geothermal technology. Unlike traditional geothermal systems that rely heavily on water and specific geological conditions, XGS’s innovation enables electricity production from hot, dry rock with zero operating water use. This water-inde...

Exergy ORC Sets New World Record: 46 MW of Geothermal Power in Turkey Delivered in Under 13 Months

Exergy ORC Delivers Two Geothermal Power Plants in Turkey in Record Time: 46 MW Added in Under 13 Months By: Robert Buluma On November 30, 2025, Exergy International proudly announced the successful commissioning of two new geothermal power plants in Aydın, Turkey: Maren Nezihe Beren 2 (13 MWe) and Emir (33 MWe), totaling 46 MW of new clean electricity capacity. What makes this milestone truly remarkable is the execution speed , both plants were delivered in less than 13 months from contract signing to full commercial operation, setting a new benchmark in the geothermal ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) industry. Why This Achievement Matters in 2025 In an era where renewable energy projects often face delays of 24–36 months (or longer), completing two binary-cycle geothermal plants totaling 46 MW in under 13 months is nothing short of extraordinary. Turkey already ranks 4th globally in installed geothermal capacity (~1.7 GW as of 2024), and these new plants reinforce the country’s lead...

Germany’s Laufzorn II Geothermal Heating Plant Achieves Positive Results from First Drilled Well

“The Water Is Hot!” – Successful Geothermal Drilling in Laufzorn Powers Grünwald’s Energy Future By: Robert Buluma Grünwald, October 23, 2025 – A dramatic plume of white steam over Laufzorn recently caught the attention of residents in nearby Oberhaching, prompting several calls to the local fire department. But there was no fire — the vapor marked a breakthrough moment for renewable energy in the region. “The water is hot!” announced Grünwald’s Mayor Jan Neusiedl (CSU) after the first geothermal drilling at Laufzorn II struck success. The discovery marks a major step forward in the community’s plan to secure sustainable heating for future generations. A Major Milestone for Renewable Heat The successful test pumping confirmed results similar to the earlier Laufzorn I project — with temperatures well above 100°C and a flow rate exceeding 100 liters per second. These promising figures ensure the project’s technical viability and future operational stability. Mayor Neusiedl highlighted th...

China Just Built the World’s Cleanest Large-Scale Geothermal Heating System – And Barely Anyone Noticed

China Just Quietly Built One of the Greenest Heating Systems on Earth – And Hardly Anyone Noticed By: Robert Buluma In a quiet corner of Shaanxi Province, something remarkable just happened. On an ordinary day in late 2025, nine deep geothermal wells in Qishan County, Baoji City, began pumping clean heat from 2,800 meters beneath the Earth’s surface into thousands of homes. No smoke. No coal. No water extracted from the ground and no wastewater discharged back into it. This is China’s first large-scale mid-deep geothermal closed-loop district heating project, and it might be one of the most under-reported green energy milestones of the decade. The Numbers Are Staggering 9 geothermal wells (drilled to 2,800–3,000 m) 100% closed-loop heat exchange – zero fluid leaves or enters the rock formation Supplies central heating to the entire southern district of Qishan County Annual savings: 12,000 tons of standard coal Annual CO₂ reduction: 3...

Iceland Ignites a Geothermal Revolution: ISK 600 Million Bet on Low-Temperature Innovation

Iceland's Geothermal Renaissance: Government Bets Big on Low-Enthalpy and Innovative Uses By: Robert Buluma Iceland has long been the poster child for geothermal energy. With legendary high-temperature fields powering everything from the famous Blue Lagoon to nearly 100% of the country’s electricity and district heating, most people assumed the geothermal story was already written. Apparently not. In a move that has the global geothermal community buzzing, the Icelandic government has just announced a massive ISK 600 million (roughly €4 million / $4.4 million USD) grant program specifically designed to kick-start innovative geothermal projects, with the state covering up to one-third of total project costs. What makes this announcement truly exciting isn’t the money itself (Iceland has funded geothermal before), but the deliberate shift in focus: low-enthalpy resources and non-traditional applications. Why This Matters The Low-Enthalpy Revolution For decades, Iceland’s geothermal ...

TOYO Advances Next-Generation Geothermal Power with Coaxial Closed-Loop Technology in Japan

TOYO Selected for Feasibility Study on Coaxial Closed-Loop Geothermal Technology in Japan Toyo Engineering advances next-generation geothermal power solutions with JOGMEC approval By: Robert Buluma October 27, 2025 Toyo Engineering Corporation (TOYO) has been officially selected by the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) to conduct a feasibility study under the "Next-Generation Geothermal Power Generation Technology" program. TOYO’s proposal, titled “Feasibility Study on Coaxial Closed-Loop Geothermal Power Generation Technology in Japan” , has been approved for commissioning, marking a major step toward the domestic implementation of next-generation geothermal systems. Unlike conventional geothermal power, which relies on groundwater or natural geothermal reservoirs, the coaxial closed-loop system can generate electricity wherever heat sources exist, across a variety of geological conditions. The system works by circulating a heat transfer fluid,...

Kenya’s Low Electricity Supply Threatens to Derail Data Centre Ambitions

Kenya’s Low Electricity Supply Threatens to Derail Data Centre Ambitions By: Robert Buluma Earlier on Alphaxioms.blogspot.com, we explored how the EcoCloud Data Centre project represented Kenya’s bold leap into renewable-powered digital infrastructure — a model for how clean energy can drive sustainable data innovation. However, new developments suggest that this vision may be facing serious challenges. President William Ruto has revealed that Kenya’s ambitious plan to host world-class data centres powered by renewable energy has stalled due to the country’s limited electricity generation capacity. While Kenya has earned global recognition for its geothermal and wind power leadership, the current generation levels remain too low to sustain the heavy energy demands of data infrastructure. Ruto pointed to Ethiopia’s 5,400 MW mega-dam, commissioned last month — two and a half times Kenya’s total installed capacity — as a clear indicator of the widening energy gap Nairobi must ...

DeepU Laser Drilling: Pioneering a Cleaner, Cheaper Geothermal Future

DeepU Laser Drilling Technology Enters Field Testing: A Leap Toward Cleaner, Cheaper Geothermal Energy By : Robert Buluma October 29, 2025 The quest to make geothermal energy more accessible and sustainable has taken a major step forward. The DeepU project , a European research and innovation initiative, has announced that its cutting-edge laser drilling technology is now ready for field testing , after 44 months of intensive research, laboratory experiments, and simulations. The DeepU system uses a laser beam combined with a supercritical nitrogen stream to drill through rock without physical contact, a breakthrough that promises to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and minimize the environmental impact of deep drilling operations. Funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder programme under Horizon Europe, DeepU is coordinated by the University of Padua and RED SRL, in collaboration with Prevent GmbH, Fraunhofer IAPT, Geoserv Ltd, the University of Wroc...

SWU & Eavor Geothermal Project in Neu-Ulm/Senden Fully Cleared After Seismic Survey Success

Deep Geothermal Energy Breakthrough: Seismic Survey Results Clear Path for Sustainable Project in Neu-Ulm and Senden Published on November 28, 2025 By: Robert Buluma SWU seismic survey confirms no major faults in Neu-Ulm/Senden. Deep geothermal project with Eavor GmbH cleared for full development – clean, 24/7 renewable heat ahead! In the quest for clean, reliable energy sources, deep geothermal energy stands out as a game-changer. Imagine tapping into the Earth's natural heat reservoir endless, emission-free power available 24/7, unaffected by weather whims or fossil fuel fluctuations. That's the promise of deep geothermal energy, and today, we're thrilled to share a major milestone: the seismic survey results for a pioneering project in Neu-Ulm and Senden, Germany. Conducted by SWU Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm GmbH , the findings confirm no major underground faults, greenlighting unrestricted progress. This isn't just good news for the regionit's a blueprint for sust...

Arverne’s New Geothermal Drill Could Unlock a Billion-Dollar Lithium Treasure

Arverne Launches First Geothermal Drilling for the Lithium de France Project in Alsace By: Robert Buluma Published: November 24, 2025 Location: Pau, France In a milestone moment for Europe’s geothermal and critical-minerals sectors, Arverne (ARVEN) — France’s leading geothermal solutions provider — has officially begun drilling the first geothermal doublet for the groundbreaking Lithium de France project in Schwabwiller, Alsace. This launch marks a major step toward establishing Europe’s first integrated geothermal-lithium production ecosystem. A New Chapter for European Geothermal Innovation According to the company, drilling operations have begun precisely on schedule following extensive site preparation. The geothermal doublet, which includes a production well and a reinjection well, will start at 10 meters apart on the surface and expand to nearly 1 kilometer of horizontal separation at a depth of 2,400 meters. This phase is crucial. The initial drilling campaign will verify...

ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Search This Blog