Skip to main content

Just In

IADC Geothermal Drilling Conference tackles drilling challenges as geothermal scales; 17-18 November

IADC Geothermal Drilling Conference 2026: Where Upstream Innovation Meets Practical Delivery The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) is staging a timely gathering for the geothermal upstream community in Copenhagen on 17–18 November 2026. The IADC Geothermal Drilling Conference & Exhibition convenes drilling contractors, completion engineers, developers, regulators and equipment suppliers around one clear mission: accelerate reliable, scalable geothermal production by transferring upstream know‑how from oil & gas into the emerging geothermal value chain. For operators and service companies focused on subsurface risk reduction, contracting efficiency and cost control, this conference is more than a networking event , it is a practical blueprint for the next wave of geothermal projects. Why this conference matters now The global energy transition is pushing geothermal from niche baseload projects toward diversified, financeable portfolios that serve heat, pow...

Appi Geothermal Power Plant In Japan Starts Operations

Bringing Clean Energy to Life: Appi Geothermal Power Plant Goes Online


By Robert Buluma

In a significant stride towards sustainable energy production, the Appi Geothermal Power Plant has commenced commercial operations. This joint venture project, spearheaded by Appi Geothermal Energy Corporation (AGE), in collaboration with Mitsubishi Materials Corporation (MMC), Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc. (MGC), and Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER), marks a milestone in Japan's renewable energy journey.

The Power of Geothermal Energy:

Located in the picturesque Hachimantai region of Iwate Prefecture, the Appi Geothermal Power Plant harnesses the Earth's natural heat to generate electricity. With an impressive output capacity of 14,900 kW, this facility utilizes steam power through a single flash system, showcasing the potential of geothermal resources in meeting Japan's energy needs.

A Commitment to Sustainability:

The construction of the Appi Geothermal Power Plant commenced in August 2019, driven by a collective commitment to reducing CO2 emissions and ensuring a stable electricity supply. This endeavor aligns with Japan's broader goals of promoting renewable energy sources and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Industry Collaboration for a Greener Future:

The successful operation of the Appi Geothermal Power Plant is a testament to the collaborative efforts of AGE, MMC, MGC, and J-POWER. Building upon the success of the Wasabizawa Geothermal Power Plant, this joint venture signifies a strategic partnership aimed at advancing renewable energy technologies and expanding their adoption across Japan.

Empowering Communities Through Renewable Energy:

The electricity generated by the Appi Geothermal Power Plant will be supplied to society under the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) system for renewable energy, contributing to the region's socio-economic development while promoting environmental sustainability. Moreover, this project is supported by the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, underscoring its significance in national energy security efforts.

Looking Ahead:

As Japan continues its transition towards a low-carbon future, initiatives like the Appi Geothermal Power Plant serve as beacons of hope, demonstrating the feasibility and efficacy of renewable energy solutions. Through ongoing innovation and collaboration, stakeholders across industries are poised to accelerate the shift towards cleaner, more sustainable energy systems 

This article has a Similar way on how feed in Tariffs are done

The inauguration of the Appi Geothermal Power Plant marks a significant milestone in Japan's renewable energy landscape. By harnessing the Earth's natural resources in an environmentally responsible manner, this project exemplifies the potential of geothermal energy to drive positive change and pave the way towards a greener, more sustainable future. As we celebrate this achievement, let us renew our commitment to advancing renewable energy technologies and building a brighter tomorrow for generations to come. 

Source: Alphaxioms

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Maren Maras plans 99-MW geothermal power development in Aydin, Türkiye

Maren Maras plans 99-MW geothermal power development in Aydin, Türkiye Maren Maras is planning a 99-MW geothermal development in Aydın’s Germencik district, consisting of three 33-MW plants with binary-cycle technology, based on regulatory filings and the Final EIA report. The project is expected to generate about 730 GWh annually and requires an estimated TRY 1.82 billion investment. Maren Maras Plans 99-MW Geothermal Power Development in Aydın, Türkiye Maren Maras Elektrik Üretim Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., part of Kipaş Holding, has advanced plans for a major geothermal expansion in Türkiye’s Aydın province. According to regulatory documents and reporting on the company’s environmental filings, the project will add 99 MW of installed geothermal capacity in the Germencik district through three separate 33-MW power plants.  The project adds another large-scale development to one of Türkiye’s most active geothermal regions. Aydın has long been a core province for geothermal power in th...

Global Geothermal Policy Outlook for 2027 Across Key Markets

Global Geothermal and Energy Policies for 2027: A Future Outlook Introduction The next phase of global geothermal development will be shaped not only by geology and technology, but increasingly by national energy policy . Governments are now treating geothermal as more than a niche source of heat or power . They are beginning to see it as a practical option for firm low-carbon electricity, district heating, industrial heat, and energy security. That shift matters because geothermal projects are unusually sensitive to policy design. Exploration is capital intensive, drilling is expensive, subsurface risk is real, and project timelines can stretch over years before revenue begins. In other words, geothermal is not just an engineering challenge. It is also a finance, regulation, and infrastructure challenge. Looking toward 2027, five countries offer a useful benchmark for where geothermal policy may be heading: the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, and France. Each countr...

Geothermal Funding, August ,September 2027 With Intelligence into 2028

Geothermal Funding in August and September 2027: Investment Outlook and Intelligence Into 2028 Geothermal funding in August and September 2027 is likely to focus on projects that can demonstrate commercial resource potential, credible drilling plans, secure offtake, and a clear path to construction. The market will increasingly move beyond broad technology experimentation toward financeable geothermal assets supported by government grants, development-finance institutions, strategic investors, utilities, and corporate power buyers. The most significant investment themes will likely include enhanced geothermal systems , exploration drilling, closed-loop geothermal , data-center power supply, conventional geothermal expansion in East Africa, and blended finance for emerging markets. By 2028, investors are expected to distinguish more sharply between companies with proven technical performance and those still dependent on laboratory results or unconfirmed resource estimates. The 2027 Fun...

Sonoma Clean Power secures $20M in state funding to advance California geothermal initiative

Sonoma Clean Power Secures $20 Million in State Funding to Advance California Geothermal Initiative Sonoma Clean Power has secured $20 million in state support for its California geothermal initiative, a milestone that strengthens the case for next-generation geothermal development in the state. The funding is aimed at reducing early-stage exploration risk, with private-sector partners expected to match the public investment, bringing the total pool to $40 million.   A major step for GeoZone The announcement builds on Sonoma Clean Power’s GeoZone strategy, which targets 600 megawatts of next-generation geothermal energy across Sonoma and Mendocino counties over the next decade. The initiative is designed to secure affordable, reliable clean power for local customers while advancing California’s broader clean-energy goals.  The latest funding breakthrough gives the project more momentum at a critical stage. In geothermal development, exploratory drilling is often one of th...

North Rhine-Westphalia Deep Geothermal Energy District Heating Expansion

North Rhine-Westphalia Pushes Geothermal Into Mainstream Heat Supply With New Deep Drilling Projects North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is accelerating its push to make geothermal energy a major component of the region’s future heat supply, with the state backing exploration, drilling, feasibility studies and financial mechanisms designed to reduce the risks associated with developing underground heat resources. The latest developments were presented at the 21st Geothermal Conference in Bochum, hosted by NRW.Energy4Climate and the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG (Fraunhofer IEG). The conference highlighted a growing transition in NRW geothermal development: geothermal energy is moving beyond research and individual demonstration projects toward practical deployment in municipal heating, district heating networks, residential developments and industrial applications. The state has already financed measurements and drilling activities across s...

Fervo Cape Station First Power: EGS Geothermal 24/7 Carbon-Free Baseload

Fervo Energy Achieves First Power at Cape Station: A Bullish Inflection Point for Enhanced Geothermal Systems Fervo Cape Station First Power Validates EGS as Scalable 24/7 Carbon-Free Baseload Fervo Energy’s September 24, 2026 announcement that its Cape Station project in Beaver County, Utah has achieved First Power marks a watershed moment for the geothermal industry and the broader clean-energy investment landscape.  This is not just another project milestone,it is the first time anywhere in the world that a greenfield, utility-scale enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) development has synchronized to the grid and begun exporting electricity.  The implications are profound: EGS has crossed from promising pilot to commercially proven, repeatable technology capable of delivering firm, 24/7 carbon-free power at gigawatt scale.  For investors, developers, utilities, and hyperscale data-center buyers, Cape Station’s First Power is a de-risking event. It signals that Fervo’s oil...

GDC Opens Restricted Tender for Menengai Wellbore Scale Services

GDC Opens Restricted Tender for Menengai Wellbore Scale Services Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company Limited (GDC) has announced a new restricted tender targeting one of the most technically important challenges in geothermal field operations: scale formation and its removal from geothermal wells and formations . The procurement notice, posted by GDC on 29 September 2026 , seeks qualified firms to provide specialized downhole wellbore and formation-scale removal and scaling mitigation services for geothermal wells and reservoirs at the Menengai Geothermal Field . The planned service period is three years , creating an opportunity for specialized geothermal service companies with experience in downhole intervention, scale management, wellbore remediation and formation-scale mitigation. According to the notice, interested and qualified firms must submit their full company details and contacts together with their Electronic Government Procurement System (eGP) registration number t...

"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...

OrPower 22 and Globeleq Add 70 MW to Kenya Grid

OrPower 22 and Globeleq Add 70 MW to Kenya’s Grid Kenya’s geothermal sector has reached another major milestone with the completion of two new power plants at the Menengai geothermal field. Developed by OrPower 22 and Globeleq, the plants add a combined 70 MW to the national grid, reinforcing Kenya’s position as one of the world’s leading geothermal markets.   A long-awaited addition The Menengai project has been under development for nearly a decade, making its completion significant not only for the developers but also for Kenya’s wider power system. The two plants now delivering electricity each contribute 35 MW, bringing the total new capacity from the site to 70 MW.  This is more than a routine capacity expansion. For Kenya, every major geothermal addition helps reduce reliance on weather-sensitive generation and strengthens the country’s ability to provide stable baseload electricity. Menengai’s arrival also shows that large geothermal developments, while slow to ma...

MB Centuary sells a drilling rig

MB Century sells Rig 32 to Webster Energy Services: what the move means for New Zealand geothermal drilling MB Century and Webster Energy Services have agreed the sale of MB Century’s Drillmec HH350 drilling rig, Rig 32, with completion slated for December 2026 after the rig finishes its current campaign for Tūaropaki Power Company. The transaction signals a strategic shift for MB Century,moving away from direct drilling ownership toward concentrating on engineering, reservoir and technical services,while Webster Energy uses the acquisition to deepen its footprint in the New Zealand geothermal market. This article summarises the deal, then drills into the operational, market and workforce implications for New Zealand’s geothermal sector, the strategic logic for both companies, and what the transaction suggests about capacity, competition and future drilling trends. Deal overview and timeline Parties: MB Century (seller) and Webster Energy Services (buyer). - Asset: Drillmec HH350 rig k...