ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

Exploration Risk: The Billion-Dollar Gamble Beneath Our Feet By:  Robert Buluma Image credit: Kane Watikson on LinkedIn  Geothermal energy is often described as the sleeping giant of the clean energy transition  constant, weather-independent, capable of delivering 24/7 baseload power without the intermittency that defines solar and wind. Yet despite this extraordinary promise, geothermal remains underdeveloped in most parts of the world. The reason is not lack of heat. It is not lack of demand. It is not even lack of technology and not even  FINANCE ,  Whilst many will throw that policy card, but Alphaxioms is already future proofing that .  The real barrier lies several kilometers beneath our feet  in uncertainty. Exploration risk is the defining challenge of geothermal energy. Unlike wind turbines that can measure wind speeds before construction, or solar farms that can predict output from sunlight data, geothermal developers must make multimillion-d...

In a landmark diplomatic moment that signals brighter prospects for Africa's clean energy future,  H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, formally received the Letters of Credentials from H.E. Ms. Olivia Owen, the newly appointed Ambassador of New Zealand to Ethiopia and the African Union, on February 4, 2026. This ceremony marks not just the beginning of a new ambassadorial tenure but a renewed surge of momentum in one of the most promising renewable energy partnerships on the continent: the AU–New Zealand geothermal cooperation. Amid Africa's urgent push to harness its vast geothermal resources—particularly along the East African Rift System—New Zealand's world-renowned expertise in geothermal development stands as a beacon of hope for sustainable, reliable, and affordable power. New Zealand, a global leader in geothermal energy, draws nearly 20% of its electricity from the Earth's natural heat. Its pioneering approaches to exploration...

Teverra and Earth Energy Explorers Ignite a Geothermal Revolution in Melilla: Spain’s Hidden Heat Awakens By:  Robert Buluma There are places on Earth where the future doesn’t arrive gently. It doesn’t knock politely. It doesn’t wait for permission. It erupts—quietly at first—through data, through drilling plans, through boardroom decisions that look ordinary to outsiders but feel like thunder to those who understand what is at stake. The Melilla Geothermal Project is one of those moments. A moment when a city perched on the edge of Europe, staring directly into the Mediterranean, begins to ask a question that could shake its energy destiny: What if the most powerful resource we need isn’t imported… but buried beneath us? This is the kind of question that rewrites history. And now, with Teverra partnering with Earth Energy Explorers (EEE), that question is no longer theoretical. It is becoming a plan—measured, engineered, and dangerously ambitious. Melilla is not just another Sp...

KenGen Launches International Tender for Essential Geothermal Wellhead Equipment Amid Kenya's Green Energy Push In a significant move to bolster its geothermal energy infrastructure, Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has issued an open international tender for the supply of specialized geothermal wellhead equipment. The tender, referenced as KGN-GDD-025-2026, focuses on expanding gate valves and adaptor flanges—critical components used in geothermal wellheads to manage high-pressure steam and ensure safe, efficient energy extraction. Released in January 2026, this procurement opportunity underscores KenGen's ongoing commitment to expanding Kenya's renewable energy capacity, particularly in the geothermal sector, which already accounts for a substantial portion of the country's power generation. Tender Details and Requirements The tender invites sealed bids from eligible candidates worldwide, emphasizing an open competitive process to attract qualified ...

Kenya’s geothermal sector stands at a pivotal crossroads in 2026, blending rapid expansion, legal scrutiny, fresh exploration, and bold affordability measures.  By: Robert Buluma Image: Trucks are flagged for Suswa Geothermal Block As Africa’s geothermal leader, Kenya harnesses the Rift Valley’s heat to deliver reliable, clean baseload power that stabilizes the grid amid fluctuating hydro and costly thermal backups. Today, the narrative unfolds across Menengai’s maturing projects, Suswa’s exciting new frontier, courtroom challenges, and policy reforms aimed at cheaper electricity for all. Menengai: From Vision to Reality with Turbulence The Menengai field in Nakuru County exemplifies Kenya’s innovative de-risking model. The Geothermal Development Company (GDC ) drills high-risk wells and confirms steam resources, then invites private independent power producers (IPPs) to build plants and purchase steam. This approach accelerates investment by removing the biggest uncertainty. Three...

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Leads International Collaboration on Geothermal Reservoir Connectivity: A Leap Towards Sustainable Energy Posted by Alphaxioms Geothermal News on January 31, 2026 Hello, geothermal enthusiasts! Welcome back to Alphaxioms Geothermal News, your go-to source for the latest developments in the world of underground energy. Today, we're diving into an exciting announcement from Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company (MGC) that's set to bridge the gap quite literally,between shallow and deep geothermal reservoirs. On January 29, 2026, MGC revealed that it has signed an international joint research contract with New Zealand's Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ), alongside partners from Kyushu University and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). This collaboration, funded by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), promises to unlock new insights into geothermal resource utilization. Let...

The SCAN Geothermal Research Well That Could Redraw Amsterdam’s Heat Future For most people walking across Strandeiland in Amsterdam today, nothing looks unusual. No drilling rig. No heavy machinery. No fenced-off work zone. No signs of an industrial operation that recently took place. And yet beneath that calm surface, something major has happened. A geothermal research drilling campaign, carried out under the SCAN programme, has been successfully completed , and it may quietly become one of the most important steps in determining whether the Amsterdam–Diemen–Almere region can unlock aardwarmte (geothermal heat) as a cornerstone of its clean heating future. The Rig is Gone , But the Data Remains The SCAN research drilling site on Strandeiland has now been fully dismantled, with the land returned to its original state. SCAN reports the operation as a success, praising the smooth collaboration with the Municipality of Amsterdam and other regional partners. This is the kind of geothermal...

The recent announcement from  Controlled Thermal Resources Holdings Inc. (CTR) marks a significant step in addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the U.S. energy landscape:  providing reliable, clean, baseload power for the explosive growth of hyperscale data centers and AI infrastructure. On January 29, 2026, CTR launched American Data Power, a new subsidiary dedicated to delivering a utility-scale 600 MW energy complex in California's Salton Sea Geothermal Field. This initiative advances the next phase of CTR's flagship Hell’s Kitchen development, positioning it as one of the largest baseload renewable energy projects in the country. Geothermal energy stands out in the renewable mix because it delivers continuous, 24/7 power unlike solar or wind, which depend on weather conditions. The proposed complex targets a capacity factor exceeding 95%, ensuring high operational reliability. This makes it ideal for the constant, high-load demands of hyperscale data centers...

“‘The LED of heating’: cheap geothermal energy system makes US comeback”.  By:  Robert Buluma This story spotlights a groundbreaking project in Minnesota that's bringing back Aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) nearly 45 years after pioneering U.S. experiments. In the frigid winters of Minnesota, where temperatures can drop below -10°C (-14°F), keeping homes warm traditionally relies on fossil fuels or inefficient electric systems. But a new development called The Heights in St. Paul is changing that by tapping into the stable temperatures deep underground. The Revival of a 1980s Idea Back in the late 1970s and 1980s, the U.S. Department of Energy funded tests beneath the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus. Researchers drilled wells to store hot water in aquifers over 100 meters (about 330 feet) deep during summer, then extracted it for winter heating. The concept, known as seasonal thermal energy storage, aimed to cut primary energy use significantly. A 1991 federal...

Kenya’s Climate Breakthrough: Harnessing Geothermal Power to Pull Carbon Out of the Air This article was written by Robert Buluma 🌋 Why Kenya Is Uniquely Positioned for Carbon Removal Kenya is one of the world’s geothermal success stories. Unlike many nations that rely heavily on fossil fuels, Kenya generates a significant share of its electricity from geothermal resources, particularly along the Great Rift Valley. This region is rich in underground heat, volcanic rock formations, and clean baseload power. These conditions make Kenya ideal for carbon removal for three major reasons: 1.Abundant renewable energy – Carbon capture technologies require large amounts of energy. In Kenya, geothermal power provides constant, low-carbon electricity and heat. 2. Suitable geology – Volcanic basalt formations naturally lock carbon dioxide into solid rock through mineralization. 3.Strategic location – Kenya sits at the crossroads of African innovation, climate finance, and global carbon markets. T...