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🌋 A Geothermal Dawn for Texas: Presidio’s 110-Megawatt Leap into the Future

Presidio, Texas – A quiet border town has just made a thunderous statement on the global stage of renewable energy. On May 22, the Presidio Municipal Development District (PMDD) and Exceed Geo Energy signed a groundbreaking 

By: Robert Buluma

110-megawatt geothermal power purchase agreement term sheet—a monumental move set to redefine the economic destiny of Presidio County.

The deal was inked during the inaugural “Presidio Vision 2035” student competition, and it is already being hailed as the most consequential economic development initiative in the region’s modern history. With electricity output far exceeding current local demand, the project is poised to energize not just homes—but industries, data centers, manufacturing hubs, and high-value agricultural processing plants.

“We’re not just powering lights—we’re powering futures,” said John T. Kennedy, PMDD Executive Director. “This geothermal commitment lays the foundation for transformative growth that will change Presidio’s trajectory forever.”


💡 More than Power: A Blueprint for Transformation

This historic agreement is more than an energy deal—it’s a strategic framework for economic revitalization. Backed by scientific validation from the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, the project aims to convert Presidio into a clean energy powerhouse.

At the helm is Tim Tarver, CEO of Exceed Geo Energy, who sees the project as a symbol of hope for rural communities.

“This is about giving people a reason—and a way—to stay in the towns they love,” Tarver said. “Geothermal energy isn’t just clean. It’s constant, reliable, and scalable.”


🔌 Geothermal Stability: Energy Security for Texas and Beyond

Presidio currently resides at the edge of the ERCOT power grid, vulnerable to blackouts. But this geothermal project could turn the town into a blackstart resource—a key player in grid restoration during widespread outages. The facility will ensure energy security for Presidio and potentially contribute to statewide resilience.

Unlike solar or wind, engineered geothermal systems operate 24/7, offering rock-solid stability in a volatile energy landscape.


🏭 Industries on the Horizon: Data Centers, Logistics, and Agri-Processing

The 110-MW geothermal capacity opens the floodgates for industrial growth. Presidio’s strategic location along the North American trade corridor makes it ideal for:

  • Refrigerated logistics and cold storage facilities
  • Data centers demanding ultra-reliable electricity
  • Manufacturing and cross-border processing
  • Value-added agricultural production

With clean, dependable power, the region could attract the kind of development that transforms economies—and lives.


🌱 The Youth Have Spoken: Vision 2035 Competition Inspires Innovation

The signing ceremony was timed with the “Presidio Vision 2035” student competition—a platform where local middle and high school students showcased their visions for a sustainable, prosperous community.

The winners? A brilliant team of seventh graders who impressed the judges with a detailed model blending clean energy, modern water systems, agriculture, and tourism. Their prize: $1,000 and the pride of planting a seed for the town’s real-world future.

The judging panel was stacked with expertise, including:

  • Dr. Mayank Tyagi (Thermal Engineering, LSU)
  • Dr. Ken Wisian (Geothermal & Subsurface Systems, University of Texas)
  • Local educators and civic leaders

“It’s inspiring to see how the next generation is already thinking about sustainability, ethics, and innovation,” said Principal Darrell Ericson.


📅 What’s Next: A Countdown to 2026

The geothermal development will roll out in phases:

  • Phase 1 (9.9 MW): Targeted for late 2026
  • Full Scale (110 MW): Soon after, with a comprehensive energy delivery framework

With execution in motion, Presidio could become a national model for rural economic development fueled by geothermal energy.

Alonso Hernandez, PMDD Board President, summed it up best:
“This is Presidio’s declaration of intent—to invest in our children, our energy independence, and our global future.”


🀝 About the Partners

  • Presidio Municipal Development District (PMDD) is tasked with driving infrastructure and economic growth in Presidio County.
  • Exceed Geo Energy LLC, a Texas-based geothermal energy developer, is committed to delivering clean, resilient, and local energy solutions.
Related Texas Reaches a New Geothermal Milestone

📘 Final Thoughts

Presidio is proving that the future of clean energy doesn’t have to begin in Silicon Valley or Austin—it can start in a quiet border town with big dreams, brilliant students, and the unshakable belief that renewables can power a better tomorrow.

This isn’t just geothermal.
This is generational transformation.


Source : Exceed Geo 

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