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Next-Gen Geothermal Funding 2026: VCs, Banks, Government Capital

Who Is Really Funding Next-Gen Geothermal in 2026? Next-generation geothermal has moved beyond laboratory research into a capital-intensive commercialization phase. In 2026, the most important financing is no longer coming from one investor category: venture capital funds are financing drilling, subsurface modelling and hardware; strategic energy companies are providing equipment, project access and market credibility; banks are beginning to lend against contracted projects; and governments are absorbing exploration and first-of-a-kind technology risk. The strongest financing activity is concentrated in the United States and Canada, but Europe is becoming increasingly important through Germany-based deployment, European Union grants, UK innovation support, and strategic participation from European energy companies. The central investment question is changing from “Can this technology work?” to “Can the developer deliver repeatable, financeable projects at commercial cost?” The 2026 fun...

PGE’s Lumut Balai Unit 2: The 55 MW Geothermal Breakthrough Powering Indonesia’s Clean Energy Future

PGE’s Lumut Balai Unit 2: A 55 MW Geothermal Triumph Rewriting Indonesia’s Clean Energy Future By:  Robert Buluma Indonesia has once again staked its claim as a global geothermal heavyweight. With the successful operationalization of the Lumut Balai Unit 2 Geothermal Power Plant, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) has delivered a strategic blow in the global race toward clean baseload energy. More than just a 55 MW addition to the country’s energy mix, this project marks a bold step in Indonesia’s ambition to expand its geothermal capacity to 1 gigawatt within the next few years. In a world grappling with climate volatility, unstable energy prices, and growing demand for reliable renewable power, this achievement resonates far beyond Indonesia’s borders. It signals a shift — a declaration that geothermal energy is rapidly maturing, scaling, and proving itself as the backbone of modern clean-energy systems. A Milestone Project in a Region Rich With Geothermal Potential Lumut ...

Biliran II Geothermal Project: The Philippines’ Next 200 MW Renewable Baseload Power Breakthrough

Biliran II: The Philippines' Next 200 MW Geothermal Powerhouse Poised to Transform Data Centers and Industrial Energy Security By:  Robert Buluma In a world racing toward stable and decarbonized energy systems, geothermal power continues to stand out as one of the most reliable and future-proof renewable energy solutions. The Philippines—already home to the world’s third-largest geothermal capacity—is once again making headlines with a transformative new development: the ~200 MW Biliran II Geothermal Project , now advancing toward its final resource confirmation. This landmark project represents a bold new era of geothermal development in Southeast Asia, tapping into renewable baseload power to supply industries that can no longer afford instability, unpredictable pricing, or carbon-heavy electricity. With the rising energy demands of data centers, manufacturing hubs, and digital infrastructure, Biliran II could become a strategic cornerstone in securing long-term energy resilienc...

The Geothermal Boom Begins: New Investments, Bold Tech, and a 20× Outlook by 2050

Global Geothermal Market Heats Up: New Investment Plans Revealed for 2025 By: Robert Buluma The global geothermal energy sector is entering a transformative phase in 2025, driven by surging investments, accelerating technology adoption, and favorable policy shifts. As clean baseload capacity becomes more critical to the world’s energy transition, stakeholders are increasingly turning to geothermal power—not just for electricity generation, but also for industrial heat, green hydrogen, and direct-use applications. This shift could solidify geothermal as a cornerstone of sustainable energy infrastructure in the decades ahead. 1. A Market Poised for Steady Growth According to industry forecasts, the global geothermal energy market is on track for major expansion.   We  project the sector will grow from USD 56.0 billion in 2025 to USD 85.0 billion by 2035 , a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2%. Business Research Insights forecasts a CAGR of 7.3% between 2025 and 20...

Archi Indonesia and Ormat Launch 40 MW Geothermal Venture in North Sulawesi

Archi Indonesia and Ormat Form Powerful Geothermal Joint Venture: A 40 MW Vision That Could Redefine North Sulawesi’s Energy Future By: Robert Buluma In a decisive move that signals Indonesia’s accelerating transition toward renewable energy, Archi Indonesia (ARCI ) —one of the country’s largest pure-play gold mining companies—has joined forces with global geothermal powerhouse Ormat Technologies . Their new joint venture, PT Toka Tindung Geothermal (TTG) , aims to deliver a 40-megawatt geothermal power plant within ARCI’s mining concession in North Sulawesi. The partnership is more than a business deal. It represents a strategic realignment in Indonesia’s energy landscape, a recalibration of ARCI’s identity, and a major step forward for geothermal development in Southeast Asia. Below is a deep, comprehensive look at what this collaboration means, what it could unlock, and why it deserves the attention of every energy observer today. A Bold Partnership: ARCI Holds 5%, Ormat Lead...

Marriott Drilling to Support Tenerife’s First Deep Geothermal Wells with SGI Collaboration

Marriott Drilling to Support Tenerife’s First Deep Geothermal Wells with SGI Collaboration By: Robert Buluma Marriott Drilling Group has been awarded a borehole rig services contract by Soluciones Geotérmicas Integradas (SGI) to deliver Tenerife’s first deep geothermal wells. This landmark project marks a significant step toward unlocking the Canary Islands’ untapped renewable energy potential. SGI, headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and a wholly owned subsidiary of TAQA (Industrialization & Energy Services Company) , is leading Tenerife’s first deep geothermal exploration campaign. Marriott Drilling has been commissioned as the sole drilling contractor to provide high-performance geothermal borehole services, supporting the island’s transition to cleaner energy. The project, set to begin in 2025 , is commissioned by Energía Geotérmica de Canarias (EGC) —a consortium comprising Reykjavik Geothermal , DISA , ITER , and Involcan . The campaign aims to evaluate geothermal electricity...

GDC Opens Multiple Senior Job Vacancies as Kenya’s Geothermal Sector Expands

GDC Announces Multiple High-Level Job Vacancies: A Major Opportunity for Kenya’s Geothermal Talent By: Robert Buluma Kenya’s geothermal sector continues to surge forward—and once again, the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) is opening its doors to top professionals ready to shape the future of clean energy. GDC has officially announced multiple senior and principal-level job openings , signaling the company’s commitment to strengthening its technical, administrative, and governance capacity. These new roles come at a time when Kenya is accelerating geothermal development to meet national energy demands and support the transition to sustainable, reliable baseload power. 🔥 Positions Now Open at GDC GDC is inviting qualified candidates to apply for the following key roles: 1. Manager, Geothermal Resource Management A strategic leadership position responsible for managing resource assessment, reservoir monitoring, geoscientific planning, and supporting field development. This ro...

Zanskar’s Humboldt County Discovery Could Become Nevada’s Largest Geothermal Power Plant

Nevada’s Next Geothermal Giant: Zanskar’s Pumpernickel Discovery Signals a Clean Energy Breakthrough By:  Robert Buluma Nevada is no stranger to geothermal power — but a new discovery in Humboldt County may redefine the state’s renewable energy landscape. Zanskar , a cutting-edge geothermal exploration company using artificial intelligence to hunt for hidden underground heat, has successfully drilled a major geothermal well that could become Nevada’s largest geothermal power facility within just three years. This milestone, known as the Pumpernickel well , is more than a drilling success. It marks the emergence of a bold strategy, a new wave of discoveries, and a significant step toward reliable, 24/7 carbon-free energy for the Western United States. A Breakthrough Hidden Beneath the Surface Zanskar’s Head of Geoscience, Aubry DeReuil , explained that geothermal energy is often associated with obvious surface indicators like hot springs. But the company’s philosophy mirrors...

Iceland Launches First High-Temp Slimhole Well in 15 Years — A New Era for Geothermal Discovery Begins

Iceland Launches a New High-Temperature Slimhole Well After 15 Years: A Major Leap for Geothermal Exploration By: Robert Buluma Iceland has once again taken a bold step in strengthening its geothermal leadership, as Orkuveitan announced the commencement of its first exploration well in over 15 years . This milestone marks the beginning of a new chapter for geothermal innovation in the Meitlar area—one that blends scientific precision, sustainability, and future-focused energy development. The newly launched well is no ordinary project. It is a high-temperature slimhole designed to reach depths of 1,500 meters , allowing geoscientists to test the presence, behavior, and potential of the geothermal system hidden beneath the Meitlar landscape. This well represents years of planning, rigorous geological studies, and persistent pursuit of clean-energy solutions. According to the project team, this initiative is a key element of Orkuveitan’s New Energies department, which works tirelessly t...

Nevada’s Geothermal Lease Sale Breaks Records With Bids Surpassing $400 per Acre

Nevada’s Geothermal Lease Sale Shatters Records: What It Means for the Future of Clean Energy By: Robert Buluma The geothermal industry is entering an exciting new chapter—one defined by bold investments, rising land values, and rapidly advancing technology. The latest lease sale in Nevada is a perfect example. According to industry sources, bids are already surpassing previous records , with some parcels hitting over $400 per acre . This remarkable surge comes just months after earlier records were set, signaling a powerful and accelerating trend. As geothermal development continues to pick up momentum across the western United States, Nevada stands out as one of the most attractive hotspots. The state’s rich geothermal resources, combined with strong policy support and advancements in subsurface imaging, drilling, and reservoir engineering, are creating the perfect environment for developers and investors alike. A Record-Breaking Sale: What Happened? The Bureau of Land Management...

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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...

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.Åž., part of KipaÅŸ 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...

Quaise Energy Secures DOE Funding for Superhot Geothermal Plant

Quaise Energy Wins DOE Support for Project Obsidian as Superhot Geothermal Moves Toward Commercial Scale Quaise Energy’s selection for up to $25 million in U.S. Department of Energy support is a meaningful milestone for superhot geothermal power, especially because it is tied to Project Obsidian, the company’s flagship commercial-scale Enhanced Geothermal System in Central Oregon. The award strengthens the case that superhot geothermal is shifting from laboratory promise toward field-tested infrastructure, with the first well triplet designed to validate a path to more than 25 megawatts of gross electric power and future expansion potential much larger than that.  DOE backs superhot geothermal The U.S. Department of Energy selected Quaise under its Next-Generation Geothermal Field Tests and Geothermal Resource Characterization and Confirmation funding opportunity, part of a broader $99 million geothermal push announced this week .According to DOE, the selected projects are mean...

Green Therma deploys closed-loop geothermal demonstration in Groß Schönebeck, Germany

Green Therma deploys demonstration of closed-loop geothermal in Groß Schönebeck, Germany Green Therma has deployed its closed-loop geothermal demonstration at the Groß Schönebeck research site in Germany, and the project is now moving from installation into operation. The system is intended to test the company’s Heat4Ever/DualVac concept under real geothermal conditions at depths of more than 3 kilometers.  Green Therma deploys closed-loop geothermal demonstration in Groß Schönebeck, Germany Green Therma has reached an important milestone in the development of closed-loop geothermal technology with the deployment of its demonstration project at the Groß Schönebeck research site in Germany. The company says the system is now circulating water through a single-well closed-loop configuration, bringing geothermal heat to the surface from more than 3 kilometers underground.  The project is being carried out at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences’ geothermal research facility,...

Fervo Energy’s Cape Station Reaches Commercial Operation: A Milestone for Enhanced Geothermal

Fervo Energy’s Cape Station Reaches Commercial Operation: What the Milestone Means for Next‑Generation Geothermal On October 1, 2026, Fervo Energy announced that its first GeoBlock at Cape Station in Beaver County, Utah, reached contractual commercial operation , achieving 33 MW net and beginning revenue under a power purchase agreement (PPA). The declaration , reached one day ahead of the contractual commercial operation date after grid synchronization on September 24 , marks an important moment for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) : a greenfield, first‑of‑a‑kind development moving from construction into contracted revenue. This article explains the technical approach Fervo used, evaluates performance and schedule claims, examines cost and scalability implications, places the project in the competitive market context, and summarizes key risks investors and industry watchers should track. What Fervo built: GeoBlocks and the Cape Station design Fervo’s project architecture centers on ...

France Geothermal Energy 2026: Heating, Power, Policy, Investment Growth

France's geothermal sector is at a crossroads. The country is Europe's undisputed leader in deep geothermal district heating, with the Paris Basin hosting the world's largest concentration of deep geothermal systems.  Yet geothermal still supplies only 1% of France's final heat consumption, and the Court of Auditors has warned that current ambitions are "unrealistic" without structural reform. ⚡ Deep Geothermal (Power Generation): Marginal Output, Major Potential Untapped France's geothermal power generation remains almost negligible. As of 2026, only two plants produce electricity: the Bouillante plant in Guadeloupe (15.5 MW) and the Soultz-sous-Forêt EGS pilot in Alsace (1.7 MW).  Total geothermal electricity production capacity was approximately 17.17 MW in 2023, forecast to reach just 19.47 MW by 2028. The Bouillante plant is set to double its production with a third unit scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2026, making it an exemplary model for ...

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...

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...

El Salvador Opens Tender for Integrated Drilling Services for Eight Chinameca Geothermal Wells

El Salvador Advances Tender for Integrated Drilling Services for Eight Geothermal Wells in Chinameca El Salvador is preparing a major geothermal drilling campaign at the Chinameca geothermal field, where state-owned developer LaGeo plans to procure integrated drilling services for up to eight deep geothermal wells. The tender forms part of a wider programme designed to confirm the field’s underground resource, secure steam for a new power plant and expand the country’s renewable electricity generation capacity. The planned contract is expected to cover drilling services, materials, accessories, casing and pipes, together with complementary services required to complete the wells. LaGeo has already initiated early market engagement to obtain feedback from potential contractors before launching the formal procurement process.  The Chinameca campaign is supported through the World Bank-financed El Salvador Geothermal Energy for Sustainable and Inclusive Development Project. The broade...

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...