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KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Geothermal Wells Over Licence Error

KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Wells Over 18-Year Licence Blunder Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) faces a serious legal and operational risk at Olkaria after an error in the coordinates of its geothermal licence left part of the company’s wells, steam infrastructure and other assets outside its legally recognised area. The licensing mistake, made nearly two decades ago, remains unresolved despite the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum acknowledging the problem in 2017.  The dispute has raised questions about the security of KenGen’s investments, the government’s management of geothermal resources and the potential consequences for Kenya’s electricity supply. Olkaria is the country’s most important geothermal centre and accounts for the overwhelming majority of Kenya’s installed geothermal generation capacity.  Licence Error Exposes Strategic Assets The problem dates back to September 19, 2008, when the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum issued KenGen a licence covering ...

Iran’s First Geothermal Power Plant Connects to the National Grid, Marking a New Era in Clean Energy

Iran’s First Geothermal Power Plant Connected to the Grid: What Meshgin-Shahr Means for the Country’s Energy Future Image: A thematic image of a geothermal power plant  Iran has taken a notable step in clean power with the Meshgin-Shahr geothermal plant in Ardabil province, which has now been connected to the national electricity grid and begun generating electricity. The first phase is 5 MW, supported by a reported investment of 10 million euros, while the broader geothermal reservoir is described as having a potential production capacity of about 250 MW.  A Landmark for Iranian Geothermal The significance of this project goes beyond the first megawatts delivered to the grid. It marks Iran’s formal entry into commercial geothermal power generation at a time when many countries are looking for firm, low-carbon electricity that does not depend on weather conditions. According to the report, the plant is being developed by the Thermal Power Generation Holding Company and is loca...

New York’s Geothermal Push Could Reshape Heating and Cooling Costs

New York Is Betting on Geothermal to Cut Heating Costs Image:New Yorks Statue of Liberty,  " Forever Liberated " New York is moving geothermal and thermal energy networks from niche ideas into real-world pilots, with state support, utility investment, and an explicit goal of lowering long-term utility bills. The latest projects in Syracuse and Buffalo show two different paths to the same objective: make clean heating and cooling cheaper, easier to install, and scalable across more buildings. Why New York is investing now The state’s push is rooted in a simple idea: heating and cooling still account for a large share of building energy use, and existing systems waste a lot of usable heat. NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen Harris said geothermal demonstrations are meant to reduce costs for consumers and help technologies move from innovation to commercialization at scale. That matters because the biggest barrier to adoption is often not the technology itself, but the upfront co...

Idle GDC Drilling Machines Put Sh15bn Investment Into Question

Idle GDC drilling machines put Sh15bn investment into question Image: A GDC Owned Geothermal Rig Kenya’s geothermal ambitions have long been presented as one of the country’s strongest energy success stories. Yet a fresh audit report has exposed a costly weakness inside the Geothermal Development Company , where drilling rigs worth Sh15.93 billion have raised hard questions about value for money, asset management, and the future pace of geothermal expansion. The issue is not simply that machines are sitting idle. It is that these machines were bought for a strategic purpose: to drill wells, unlock steam, and help Kenya expand one of its cleanest and most reliable sources of power. When such expensive equipment remains unused for years, the problem goes far beyond maintenance. It points to a breakdown in planning, operations, oversight, and financial discipline. For a country that relies heavily on geothermal energy to stabilise electricity supply, the implications are serious. Every id...

Colorado Geothermal RFP: 6,597 Acres Open for Clean Energy Development

Colorado Opens 6,597 Acres for Geothermal Development: Why the State’s New RFP Could Reshape America’s Clean Energy Map Image: A map which depicts the land area Colorado has taken a notable step toward becoming a serious geothermal market. In July 2026, the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners issued a Request for Proposals inviting qualified developers to explore, finance, permit, construct, and operate geothermal energy projects on state trust land across five counties. This is more than a routine land notice. By asking for complete development teams rather than simple speculative leaseholders, Colorado is signaling that it wants real projects, real timelines, and real electricity generation from its geothermal acreage. A different kind of geothermal RFP Most land offerings in the energy sector focus on access rights first and development later. Colorado’s geothermal RFP is broader, requiring bidders to show they can move a project from resource exploration through financing, ...

Clichy Livry Chaleur Project: 30.2 Million Euro Geothermal Heating Boost for Low-Carbon District Energy in France

How a 30.2 Million Euro Geothermal Deal Could Transform Clichy-Sous-Bois and Livry-Gargan Image : The cities of  Livry-Gargan and  Clichy-Sous-Bois France’s latest geothermal milestone is more than a funding announcement. It is a signal that two suburban cities on the edge of Paris are betting on a cleaner, more stable, and locally produced energy future. The 30.2 million euro public subsidy for the Clichy Livry Chaleur network gives the project both financial momentum and political weight. With total investment around 90 million euros, the network is designed to deliver low-carbon heat to thousands of homes while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. For readers interested in renewable energy, urban infrastructure, and the economics of geothermal heating, this project is a strong example of how energy transition happens in practice. A project built on geothermal ambition Clichy-sous-Bois and Livry-Gargan are not just adding another utility line underground. They are building a...

Superhot Geothermal Energy Breakthrough: Iceland Advances IDDP-3 Deep Drilling Project

A major step in superhot geothermal development, contract signed for the first IDDP-3 research well Iceland has long been a global leader in geothermal energy, but the latest development around the Iceland Deep Drilling Project, IDDP-3, pushes that reputation even further. Orkuveitan has signed a contract with Jarðboranir hf. to drill the first research well in the third phase of the project, marking a major milestone in the preparation of one of the most ambitious geothermal research efforts in the world. The drilling is expected to begin later this year at Nesjavellir, and the project could help unlock a new frontier in superhot geothermal energy. The announcement is significant not only for Iceland, but also for the global renewable energy sector, which is increasingly looking for scalable, high efficiency ways to deliver clean baseload power and high temperature heat . What superhot geothermal means for the energy transition Superhot geothermal refers to extremely high temperature...

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Jicarilla Apache Geothermal Study Wins $2.5 Million Grant

Jicarilla Apache Nation Launches $2.5 Million Geothermal Feasibility Study The Jicarilla Apache Nation in northern New Mexico has launched a major investigation into its geothermal energy potential after receiving a $2.5 million grant from the State of New Mexico. The funding will support a detailed feasibility study examining whether underground heat resources on tribal lands could be developed for electricity generation, direct heating, or other energy applications. The initiative represents an important step in the Nation’s efforts to understand and diversify its energy resources. Although the Jicarilla Apache Nation has not yet committed to building a geothermal facility, the study could provide the geological, technical, and economic information required for future investment decisions. The project is particularly significant because the Nation already has extensive experience with subsurface exploration through its oil and gas activities. Existing geological records, drilling inf...

Ijen vs Zanskar: Blind Geothermal Energy Discovery and Development

Ijen’s Blind Geothermal System vs. Zanskar’s AI-Discovered Resources: Two Models for Finding Hidden Heat The geothermal industry is entering a new phase in which the most valuable resources may no longer be the fields marked by obvious hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, or steaming ground. Increasingly, developers are targeting “blind” or hidden geothermal systems,reservoirs that lack clear surface expressions but can still contain the temperature, permeability, and fluid needed for commercial power generation. Two examples illustrate how different parts of the industry are approaching this challenge. In Indonesia, the Blawan-Ijen geothermal field in East Java was developed through geological interpretation, magnetotelluric imaging, conceptual modelling, and drilling. The project is now operating commercially, with its first phase delivering approximately 35 MW to the Java grid under a 30-year power purchase agreement.  In the United States, Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals is using...

Vercana Electric Rig Advances Geothermal Brine Lithium Extraction Economics

Electric-Rig Direct Lithium Extraction From Geothermal Brine: The Economics of Vercana Versus Ormat Vulcan Energy Resources is pursuing an integrated model that combines geothermal drilling, direct lithium extraction, renewable electricity and industrial heat. Through its Vercana subsidiary, the company is also using electric drilling equipment designed to support the development of its Lionheart project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley. The approach differs from the conventional geothermal model represented by Ormat Technologies, whose core business remains geothermal power generation, equipment, project development and energy storage rather than commercial lithium recovery from geothermal brine.  The economic question is broader than whether an electric drilling rig costs less to operate than a diesel rig. The more important issue is whether electric drilling, geothermal energy and direct lithium extraction can create a more valuable integrated project than a conventional geotherm...

Western Geothermal Power Transmission Roadmap Toward 2030

Geothermal Power in the Western United States: A Transmission and Planning Roadmap to 2030 Introduction The Western United States is approaching a decisive period for geothermal power. Electricity demand is rising because of data centers, industrial electrification, population growth, electric vehicles and the replacement of retiring fossil-fuel generation. At the same time, utilities are under growing pressure to add clean resources that can operate reliably when solar and wind output declines. Geothermal power is well positioned to fill this role. Unlike weather-dependent generation, geothermal plants can provide firm electricity for long periods, support grid reliability and reduce the amount of storage required in deeply decarbonized power systems. However, the industry’s expansion will depend on more than subsurface heat and drilling technology. By 2030, transmission access, resource planning, project finance, permitting and utility procurement will determine whether geothermal be...

Billionaire Families Bet on Advanced Geothermal Energy Investments

Billionaire Geothermal Families Bet on Geothermal Billionaire families and private investment offices are placing increasingly large bets on geothermal energy, especially on technologies designed to make the resource available in more locations. Their investments are helping finance enhanced geothermal systems, advanced drilling, closed-loop designs, and other approaches that could transform geothermal from a regionally concentrated power source into a globally scalable clean-energy industry. The investment surge reflects a broader change in the energy market. Electricity demand is rising because of artificial intelligence, data centers, industrial electrification, electric vehicles, and the expansion of digital infrastructure. At the same time, utilities and large corporations need power that is reliable around the clock. Solar and wind remain essential to the clean-energy transition, but their output varies with weather and time of day. Geothermal could complement these technologies ...

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...

Global Geothermal Investment 2026: 15 High-Growth Markets

Global Geothermal Investment 2026: 15 Markets Where Developers Should Look Next Geothermal energy is entering its most investable decade yet, with developers, drilling contractors, turbine suppliers and private capital providers scanning a widening map of opportunities beyond the traditional “big five” producers.  This article profiles 15 markets where project pipelines, policy signals, resource quality and technology readiness converge to create compelling entry points in 2026 and beyond.  Why 2026 Is a Turning Point for Geothermal Capital Global geothermal investment is accelerating as governments seek firm, low‑carbon baseload to back up variable wind and solar, while advanced drilling and subsurface engineering lower costs and expand the resource base. Market analysts project the geothermal energy market to reach roughly USD 13.56 billion by 2030, up from about USD 9.81 billion in 2025, implying sustained double‑digit growth in development spend. Capital is flowing not onl...

Alberta Geothermal Startup Phase Secures Funding for High-Temperature Drilling Sensors

Alberta’s Phase Targets a Critical Geothermal Drilling Barrier With High-Temperature Sensors Alberta is using its deep oil-and-gas expertise to pursue a new opportunity beneath the surface: geothermal energy. Among the companies receiving support through Emissions Reduction Alberta’s Drilling Technology Challenge is Edmonton-based Phase Advanced Sensor Systems Corp., which is developing a high-temperature downhole pressure sensor for enhanced geothermal systems. The project addresses a problem that could determine whether deep geothermal energy becomes commercially viable: operators need reliable, accurate information from wells exposed to extreme heat and pressure. Phase plans to demonstrate a sensor capable of operating at temperatures above 200°C, with testing planned at 200°C, 250°C and 275°C.  The project has a total value of approximately C$1.57 million, including C$420,000 in ERA funding, according to Alberta’s project information.  Dealroom reported the award as approx...

Unlocking Impermeable Geothermal Reservoirs: Hydraulic Stimulation, Menengai and Olkaria

Unlocking the Impermeable Reservoir: Lessons from a 30-Year Reservoir Engineer An Alphaxioms interview with Richard Joseph Holt, Principal Consultant in Reservoir Engineering at RESPEC . Context: Menengai East and Olkaria Central. Every geothermal developer knows the moment.  The rig is gone and the money is spent. The well is drilled to depth, the temperature is there, and then the well will not flow. The heat is real, but the connection between the well and the reservoir is not. Wells like this sit at the centre of one of the most important questions in geothermal development: what do you do with a tight reservoir? Walk away and drill again, or find a way to unlock what is already there? To explore the question, Alphaxioms spoke with Richard Joseph Holt, Principal Consultant in Reservoir Engineering at RESPEC . Richard brings 30 years of global experience in geothermal energy.  We framed our questions around two settings, Menengai East and Olkaria Central, and asked him how ...

Menengai Geothermal Project Delays Expose Kenya’s Broken Steam Supply Model

Menengai’s Broken Promise: How Kenya’s Geothermal Model Lost the Steam Thematic image of the Olkaria Geothermal Field  Kenya’s Menengai geothermal project was sold as a model of modern public-private partnership. The state would carry the difficult and expensive burden of geothermal exploration and drilling. Private power producers would then build, own and operate power plants. Geothermal Development Company would supply the steam; the independent power producers would convert it into electricity; Kenya Power would buy the output. On paper, the arrangement was elegant. In practice, Menengai has exposed a far more uncomfortable reality: Kenya’s public steam-supply model is not delivering the certainty it promised. Menengai Phase I was designed to produce 105 megawatts from three 35 MW plants. GDC’s own project page says the three plants were awarded to Globeleq Menengai Geothermal, Sosian Menengai Geothermal Power and OrPower Twenty Two under a build-own-operate structure. Yet the ...