ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

KenGen’s Olkaria Topping Units: A Strategic Leap for Kenya’s Geothermal Dominance By: Robert Buluma Image: Kengen Olkaria Field Kenya’s geothermal sector is once again stepping into a higher gear. The release of the RFP for Olkaria Topping Units under reference KGN-BDD-001-2026 signals a bold strategic move by KenGen to maximize steam efficiency, increase power output, and reinforce Kenya’s leadership in geothermal development across Africa. What Are Olkaria Topping Units — And Why Do They Matter? Located in the prolific Olkaria geothermal complex within the Great Rift Valley, the project introduces topping units designed to extract additional energy from high-pressure steam before it enters existing power plants. This is not just an upgrade , it is optimization at scale. Topping units: Increase overall plant efficiency Utilize excess high-pressure steam Enhance megawatt output without drilling entirely new fields Improve return on existing geothermal infrastructure In a capital-inten...

Nevis Geothermal Energy Project Advances with Iceland Drilling Selected for Landmark Drilling Contract By: Robert Buluma The Nevis Geothermal Energy Project has taken a decisive and exciting step forward. In early 2026, the Nevis Island Administration (NIA ) officially selected Iceland Drilling Company (Jardboranir hf. ) as the successful bidder for the critical drilling phase. This award marks a major milestone after years of planning, positioning Nevis closer than ever to harnessing its geothermal resources for clean, reliable baseload power. Premier the Honourable Mark Brantley, Minister of Finance and Energy, has repeatedly highlighted the significance of this development. In updates shared during his January 27, 2026, press conference and subsequent interviews, he confirmed that Iceland Drilling emerged as the top performer in a rigorous, independent evaluation process. The contract covers the drilling of five major geothermal wells—three production wells and two reinjection wel...

PGE's $3 Million Leap into Green Hydrogen: Pioneering Indonesia's Sustainable Energy Revolution By: Robert Buluma  In an era where climate change looms large and the world races toward net-zero emissions, Indonesia's energy giant PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) is making waves with a groundbreaking initiative. Announced on February 11, 2026, PGE is investing approximately three million US dollars in a green hydrogen pilot project at Ulubelu, Lampung. This isn't just another corporate announcement—it's a bold step toward transforming geothermal power into a clean fuel source that could redefine low-carbon energy strategies. Imagine harnessing the Earth's natural heat to produce hydrogen that's as green as the forests of Sumatra. Intrigued? Let's dive deeper into this captivating story of innovation, sustainability, and national pride. The Rise of Green Hydrogen: A Game-Changer in the Energy Transition Green hydrogen is often hailed as the "fue...

GreenFire Energy and Iron Mountain : The Geothermal–Data Center Alliance Redefining AI Power Infrastructure By: Robert Buluma The global artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is not just rewriting software it is redrawing the world’s power map. As hyperscale data centers expand to support AI training, cloud services, and edge computing, one reality has become unavoidable: digital infrastructure is only as strong as the energy systems that power it. In a significant and strategic move, GreenFire Energy Inc has partnered with Iron Mountain Data Centers to develop modular geothermal power capacity tailored to support Iron Mountain’s global data center footprint. This collaboration represents more than a supply agreement—it signals a structural shift in how hyperscale facilities secure reliable, scalable, and low-carbon power. AI Is Driving an Energy Reckoning AI workloads are exponentially more energy-intensive than traditional computing. From training large language models to real-t...

Repurposing Hydrocarbon Wells for Geothermal Applications Insights from Our Interview with Christi on EGS, Storage, and Europe’s Energy Transition Christi is a Geothermal Resource Engineer and PhD Researcher, specializing in deep geothermal systems, closed-loop systems, well repurposing (especially converting old oil/gas wells for geothermal use), Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), and Deep Borehole Heat Exchangers (DBHE). What if the thousands of oil and gas wells scattered across Europe could become the backbone of the geothermal transition? In our recent interview with Christi, a leading researcher involved in the TRANSGEO project, we explored the technical, economic, and regulatory realities of repurposing hydrocarbon wells for geothermal applications , particularly for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), thermal storage, and district heating integration. From case studies like Groß Schönebeck to regional analysis in Lausitz, Christi offered a grounded and technical perspective o...

KenGen Reconstitutes Its Board of Consultants: Strengthening Kenya’s Geothermal Ambition Toward 1,267 MW by 2041 Kenya’s geothermal ambition is no longer just about drilling deeper wells or adding incremental megawatts. It is about governance, technical precision, and long-term strategic stewardship. In a decisive move, Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen) has issued an Open International Expression of Interest (EOI) – KGN-GDD-043-2026 to recruit and reconstitute its Board of Consultants. At first glance, it may appear as a standard procurement notice. But in reality, it represents something far more significant: a deliberate strengthening of institutional technical capacity at a time when Kenya’s geothermal trajectory is accelerating. This is not just recruitment. This is structural reinforcement. Kenya’s Geothermal Backbone KenGen is the backbone of Kenya’s power generation landscape. The company produces approximately 73.58% of the country’s installed electricity capa...

Taiwan's Geothermal Breakthrough: Jingneng and Ormat Partner for AI-Powered Baseload Energy By: Robert Buluma Taiwan stands on the edge of an energy transformation, driven by surging demand from artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and data centers. In February 2026, Jingneng Energy Services (進能服, stock code 6692) announced a major collaboration with global geothermal leader Ormat Technologies (NYSE: ORA) . This partnership focuses on developing Taiwan's first large-scale geothermal power plant in Jinshan District, New Taipei City. The 12.5MW facility aims to deliver reliable, 24/7 clean energy starting in December 2027, with annual output reaching 100 million kWh—enough to power about 30,000 households. This project addresses critical gaps in Taiwan's renewable mix. While solar and wind have grown rapidly, they remain intermittent. Geothermal offers true baseload power, unaffected by weather or time of day, making it ideal for energy-intensive industries....