ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Croatia Approves Geothermal Exploration in Kotoriba: No Full Environmental Impact Study Required By: Robert Buluma Croatia has taken a decisive step forward in its clean energy transition with a new approval that underscores its commitment to renewable energy development. The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition has ruled that the upcoming geothermal exploration project in Kotoriba—specifically in Zones 2 and 3—does not require a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This decision effectively allows Viola Energy Generation d.o.o. to proceed with drilling up to four geothermal exploration wells, marking a major milestone for the country’s geothermal sector. As Europe accelerates its shift toward sustainable and energy-secure solutions, Croatia’s proactive stance positions it as a rising leader in geothermal development within the region. A Strategic Decision for Croatia’s Renewable Energy Future In its resolution dated 30 October 2025 , the Ministry concluded...

Orca: The World’s First Large-Scale Carbon Dioxide Removal Plant in Iceland By:  Robert Buluma Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant is run by  ON Power  a subsidiary of  Orkuveita Reykjavíkur  whilst the Orca carbon removal is owned by  Clime works In the global fight against climate change, few innovations stand out as boldly as  Orca —the world’s first large-scale direct air capture and storage (DAC+S) plant. Located in the scenic geothermal hub of Hellisheiði, Iceland, Orca represents a groundbreaking leap from climate vision to engineering reality. A Landmark Moment: Orca is Launched On  September 8, 2021 , Orca officially began operations, marking a new era in carbon dioxide removal. As the largest operational DAC+S plant on Earth, its mission is simple yet revolutionary: capture CO₂ directly from the atmosphere and lock it safely underground, permanently removing it from the carbon cycle. This milestone positioned Iceland—and the world—at the ...

Eavor’s Breakthrough Geothermal System Set to Power Germany: Faster Drilling, Innovative Tech, and a New Era for Closed-Loop Geothermal Germany is on the brink of a geothermal milestone as Canadian startup Eavor Technologies prepares to bring its innovative closed-loop geothermal system online in Geretsried. After two years of ambitious drilling, technical breakthroughs, and field-tested innovation, the project is expected to start producing clean power later this year—marking a major leap forward for next-generation geothermal energy. This groundbreaking development not only accelerates Germany’s push toward renewable energy independence, but also solidifies Eavor as a global leader in advanced geothermal solutions. A New Benchmark for Advanced Geothermal Eavor’s Geretsried facility has captured global attention for one reason: it proves that geothermal energy can be deployed faster, deeper, and more efficiently than ever before. After receiving a $107 million grant from the E...

OMV Halts Graz Geothermal Project: What It Means for Renewable Energy By:  Robert Buluma OMV cancels its deep geothermal project for Graz district heating, highlighting the risks and lessons for renewable energy projects. Discover what this means for future geothermal initiatives. OMV’s OMV’s Surprising Stop on Graz Geothermal Project Austria’s ambitious geothermal project aimed at supplying half of Graz’s district heating has been abruptly canceled. Initially envisioned as a major step in decarbonizing the city’s heating network, the project faced delays and contractual disagreements that ultimately led OMV to halt the initiative. The decision has sent ripples through the Austrian energy sector, raising questions about governance, risk, and renewable energy planning. The Significance of the Project The canceled geothermal initiative was valued at nearly €0.5 billion and had the potential to transform Graz’s energy landscape. Currently, the city relies on a small fraction ...

Doğal Hayat Geothermal plans to drill an exploration well in Yeşilyurt, Ayvacık, Türkiye, to assess local geothermal potential for sustainable agriculture and tourism. By: Robert Buluma The project’s main goal is to evaluate the local geothermal potential and explore sustainable uses for agriculture and tourism. The plan includes drilling an exploration well (YO‑01) on parcel 160, block 7, within the company’s geothermal licence area (access number 3248844). The site spans roughly 9,000 m² of privately owned land, strategically chosen for its geothermal potential. Because the land is classified as an olive grove, all operations will comply with Turkey’s Olive Tree Law (No. 3573) and Soil Protection and Land Use Law (No. 5403). The regulatory authority has determined that a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA/ÇED) is not required at this stage. If geothermal resources are confirmed, Doğal Hayat Geothermal plans to develop tourism and agricultural applications, including thermal to...

Earth Sciences NZ wins $2.6M Marsden Fund to develop green ammonia, geothermal energy solutions, and volcanic monitoring for a sustainable NZ future. By:  Robert Buluma New Zealand is set to make major strides in energy innovation, sustainability, and volcanic risk management after Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ) secured $2.6 million in funding from the prestigious Marsden Fund . Four groundbreaking research projects will explore everything from green fuels to untapped geothermal energy and the hidden workings of  New Zealand’s volcanoes. Cracking the Seismic Code Beneath Volcanoes Volcanoes in New Zealand, from Ruapehu to Whakaari/White Island, pose persistent risks to communities and industries. Despite decades of monitoring, predicting eruptions remains challenging due to the complex signals of seismic activity, ground deformation, and gas emissions. Dr. Pasan Herath is leading a pioneering project using distant earthquakes to map underground volcanic plumbing systems ....

Deutsche Erdwärme Starts Long-Term Geothermal Test in Graben-Neudorf By:  Robert Buluma After months of inactivity, the geothermal project in Graben-Neudorf (Karlsruhe district) is springing back to life. Deutsche Erdwärme has initiated a long-term test to evaluate the productivity of its 3,600-meter-deep borehole. The test, expected to run for two to three weeks, is seen as a critical step in determining the feasibility of large-scale geothermal energy production at the site. The central question: Is the geothermal well as productive as Deutsche Erdwärme anticipates? According to reports by SWR, water will be pumped into the underground reservoir, followed by seismological measurements and pressure tests. These activities aim to determine the operational conditions required for safely running a future geothermal plant. Herbert Pohl, CEO of Deutsche Erdwärme, noted that such a long-term test is unprecedented in Germany and in the Upper Rhine Valley. While geothermal exploration...

Discover how Kenya’s Rift Valley geothermal resources could become a game-changer for the global electric vehicle industry. Explore opportunities, innovations, and insights from Alphaxioms’ expert consultancy in renewable energy. By Alphaxioms | Renewable Energy Insights Kenya’s Rift Valley is more than a scenic wonder — it’s emerging as a global powerhouse in renewable energy, with the potential to fuel the next generation of electric vehicles (EVs). Hidden beneath its volcanic landscapes lies vast geothermal energy, a clean and reliable resource that could revolutionize the EV battery supply chain worldwide. For innovators and investors in clean technology, this is a game-changer. By harnessing geothermal heat, Kenya can support sustainable lithium extraction and other critical minerals, powering not just homes and industries, but also the rapidly expanding EV market. Alphaxioms, a leading renewable energy consultancy, has been at the forefront of exploring these opportunities, comb...

⚡ Quaise Energy’s Groundbreaking Demo: Drilling with Pure Energy — A Revolution Rooted in MIT Posted by  Robert Buluma — November 2025 In the heart of Marble Falls, Texas, the earth trembled not from an explosion, but from innovation. Quaise Energy — a bold spinout from the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI ) — has just proven the impossible : drilling through granite using pure energy , not physical bits. This September, the company hosted the first of several live public demonstrations of its millimeter-wave drilling system — a technological leap that could redefine the future of geothermal energy. 🔥 The Birth of a Drilling Revolution Quaise’s CEO Carlos Araque calls it “the first drilling innovation in 100 years.” He believes this breakthrough can unlock clean, renewable geothermal power on a scale rivaling fossil fuels . And that’s not hyperbole. With early funding and research support from MITEI , Quaise is turning decades of plasma and fusion science into the key tha...

⚡ Zenith Volts Breaks Ground on 1.24GW Off-Grid Data Center Campus in Roswell, NM By:  Robert Buluma In a bold step toward sustainable, off-grid computing, Zenith Volts has secured planning approval for a massive 8,500-acre data center project in Roswell, New Mexico. The 1.24GW campus, set to be fully operational by November 2027, is designed to power AI, cloud, and high-performance workloads while integrating some of the most advanced energy and cooling solutions in the industry. Powering the Future: Diverse Energy Solutions The Roswell campus is planned as a fully diversified energy ecosystem. On-site solar arrays will provide primary power, while natural gas generators act as backup for reliability. Adding to this is a 250-acre battery energy storage system and modular solar-thermal hybrid setups—designed to balance peak load demands efficiently. But the real game-changer? Geothermal cooling. By tapping into the stable underground temperatures of New Mexico, Zenith aims to dras...

⚡Dominica’s Geothermal Power Plant Nears Completion — Caribbean’s Green Revolution Takes Shape By: Robert Buluma Dominica is on the brink of a historic energy milestone. The island nation’s 10-megawatt Laudat Geothermal Power Plant, now over 90% complete, is expected to begin operation by early 2026, marking a new era of sustainable energy independence for the Caribbean. Once fully operational, this facility will be the second geothermal power plant in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and the first within CARICOM, delivering clean, renewable energy to more than 23,000 homes across Dominica. 🔧 Construction Progress and Milestones According to Construction Manager Mehmetemin Pay, civil and mechanical works are both 95% complete, with electrical construction at 90%. The next major step will be system testing and commissioning, scheduled for November 24th, as the team prepares the plant for its 2026 startup. Pay emphasized that the commissioning phase is crucial — ensu...

Barito Renewables  Heats Up: BREN Expands Geothermal Capacity to Power Indonesia’s Energy Future By:  Robert Buluma Indonesia’s renewable energy landscape is heating up — literally. 💥 PT Barito Renewables Energy Tbk (BREN) ), owned by billionaire Prajogo Pangestu, is taking bold steps to reinforce its position as a geothermal powerhouse. The company has unveiled a strategic expansion plan aimed at boosting its geothermal power generation capacity across multiple key plants. According to its latest public presentation, BREN will increase the capacity of its geothermal power plants (PLTP) in four locations — a move designed to propel corporate growth while contributing significantly to Indonesia’s clean energy targets. Among the headline projects: Wayang Windu Unit 3 will see a 30 MW capacity boost. Salak Unit 7 will gain an additional 40 MW , both targeted for completion by Q4 2026 . Wayang Windu Units 1 & 2 will undergo a retrofit adding 18.4 MW , expected by Q...

Djibouti and  4th Resource Corp Forge New Path in Geothermal Energy Development November 10, 2025 | Alphaxioms Energy Desk By Robert Buluma 4In a significant stride toward strengthening Djibouti’s renewable energy ambitions, the country’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources , H.E. Yonis Ali Guedi , has officially received a delegation from the Canadian company 4th Resource Corp , a firm renowned for its expertise in geothermal resource exploration and development. The high-level meeting, held in Djibouti City, marked the beginning of what could become a transformative partnership for Djibouti’s energy sector. The discussions centered on geothermal energy development , a cornerstone of the nation’s strategy to diversify its energy mix and achieve long-term energy independence. A Promising Collaboration The visiting Canadian delegation, led by Mr. Dave Armbruster (Chairman) and Mr. Phil Harms (CEO) of 4th Resource Corp, presented the company’s vision and technical roadmap...

Hawaiʻi’s Geothermal Gamble: Balancing Clean Energy Ambitions with Cultural Integrity By: Robert Buluma In Hawaiʻi’s pursuit of a 100% renewable energy future by 2045, few energy options inspire as much promise — or controversy — as geothermal. This week, that tension resurfaced when  Waika Consulting a geothermal development firm, requested a $5 million investment from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) in exchange for a stake in a $275 million geothermal project. The proposal, presented by Waikā President Ryan Matsumoto and former OHA Trustee Mililani Trask, promises substantial financial returns for Native Hawaiians. Yet, it also reopens old debates about environmental safety, cultural values, and trust in geothermal governance. A High-Stakes Investment Pitch Waikā’s plan positions geothermal not merely as a clean energy source, but as a vehicle for Native Hawaiian economic empowerment. The firm estimates that OHA’s $5 million stake could yield $25–$50 million in returns over...

In a groundbreaking move that intertwines clean energy development with cultural preservation, Baseload  Power Taiwan has achieved a historic milestone — securing official consent from the Hongye Tribe in Hualien County for geothermal exploration and development.  By: Robert Buluma This achievement makes Baseload Power Taiwan the first private developer in Taiwan to gain tribal approval under the Indigenous Peoples Basic Law , marking a pivotal step toward inclusive, community-driven energy projects. 🌋 Building Trust Through Respect and Transparency This accomplishment did not come overnight. Over the past five years , Baseload Power Taiwan has nurtured a relationship built on trust, transparency, and respect with the Hongye Tribe. The company’s commitment to open dialogue and mutual understanding has laid the foundation for this successful partnership — a model that could inspire future clean energy collaborations across Taiwan and beyond. “The consultation reflec...