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"Ethiopia geothermal restart: Tulu Moye and Corbetti renegotiate multimillion-dollar deals"

Ethiopia Renegotiates Key Deals to Restart Multimillion‑Dollar Geothermal Projects: Tulu Moye and Corbetti Move Toward Restart After years of security disruptions, financing shortfalls and contract disputes, two of Ethiopia’s highest‑profile geothermal concessions , the Tulu Moye (Meridiam/Reykjavik Geothermal) and Corbetti projects , are actively renegotiating with senior government authorities to resume development. The talks mark a practical pivot from litigation and prolonged suspension toward restarting drilling and project implementation, with implications for Ethiopia’s energy mix, investor confidence and the regional geothermal supply chain. Why these renegotiations matter For an emerging geothermal market like Ethiopia, the fate of Tulu Moye and Corbetti matters on three fronts: capacity and grid impact, investor signaling, and the country’s ability to mobilize large, foreign‑led project finance. Each project alone represents several hundred megawatts of potential dispatchable...

DOE Drops $171.5 Million Bomb on Next-Gen Geothermal: America's Energy Future Just Got Hotter

The U.S. Department of Energy just dropped a massive boost for geothermal energy—and it's game-changing for the future of clean, reliable power! By:  Robert Buluma DOE Unleashes $171.5 Million to Supercharge Next-Generation Geothermal in the U.S. On February 25, 2026, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a funding opportunity worth up to $171.5 million through its Office of Geothermal. This isn't small change—it's aimed at accelerating next-generation geothermal technologies that could unlock massive potential for affordable, 24/7 baseload energy across America. Why does this matter? The U.S. already leads globally with about 4 gigawatts of installed geothermal capacity, but DOE studies show we could realistically scale to at least 300 gigawatts by 2050. That's enough to power millions of homes and businesses with clean, domestic energy that doesn't rely on weather or time of day. This funding directly supports President Trump's Executive Order on Unleashing...

Inside the Geothermal Startup Mind: The Strategy, Funding & Sacrifices Behind Teverra’s Growth

Inside a Geothermal Startup’s Mind: Strategy, Funding, Ethics, and the Brutal Race to Commercialize This interview was done by Robert Buluma on behalf of Alphaxioms  Image:  The Interviewee, Dr.  Hamed Soroush is the Founder and President at Teverra  There’s a certain kind of silence that exists inside fast-growing startups. Not the quiet of peace, but the quiet of pressure . It’s the silence of teams racing to commercialize before competitors arrive. The silence of founders balancing mission and survival. The silence of a clean energy industry that desperately needs success stories… but is still learning how to measure them. In this one-on-one interview, we explore what it really takes to build a geothermal-driven clean energy company in today’s market, from strategic decisions and funding discipline to leadership, ethics, and the painful sacrifices behind growth. 1)  Vision & Strategy: “Speed Is Everything” Q:   Teverra  has grown rapidly, but co...

Next Generation Geothermal Power, US DOE Publishes Pathways To Commercial Liftoff

Unleashing the Power: Next Generation Geothermal Energy Ventures By: Robert Buluma In the ever-evolving landscape of renewable energy, one path is gaining significant traction for its promise of clean, reliable, and economically viable power generation: next-generation geothermal energy ventures. These ventures represent not just a step, but a leap towards a future where sustainable energy sources dominate the market, and the status quo of traditional geothermal power is challenged. Let's embark on a journey through the pathways to commercial lift-off of these groundbreaking ventures and explore how they are reshaping the energy sector. Clean, Flexible, and Firm: Unlike some renewable sources, such as solar and wind, which are intermittent and weather-dependent, next-generation geothermal power offers consistent and reliable energy production. With minimal environmental footprint and no fuel costs, it stands out as a clean energy solution capable of meeting base-load power demands ...

Idaho National Laboratory to Lease DOE land to Geothermal Private Developers

Idaho National Laboratory Opens Doors for Private Geothermal Energy Development: A Historic Opportunity By : Robert Buluma The Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a significant site identified under the U.S. Department of Energy's "Cleanup to Clean Energy" initiative, is making history by inviting private developers to lease 2,500 acres of its land for clean energy projects. This marks the first time in 75 years that the INL has opened its doors for private development, showcasing a pivotal shift towards leveraging federal lands for renewable energy generation. The initiative, spearheaded by the DOE and supported by President Biden's ambitious climate goals, aims to repurpose former nuclear sites into hubs for clean energy innovation. With INL's participation, this vision takes a significant step forward, offering a unique opportunity for private entities to contribute to the nation's clean energy transition. The INL's decision to release a Request for Propos...

US and Iceland Forge Geothermal Energy Partnership

U.S. and Iceland Forge Renewable Energy Partnership: A Geothermal Odyssey By : Robert Buluma In a landmark move towards bolstering renewable energy collaborations, the United States Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, recently engaged in bilateral discussions with her Icelandic counterpart, Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson. The talks, centered around the potential for collaboration in renewable energy initiatives, particularly in the realm of geothermal energy, underscored a shared commitment to sustainable development and combating climate change. The meeting, which took place against the backdrop of the stunning Icelandic landscape, included a visit to the Hellsheidi Geothermal Power Plant—a testament to Iceland's pioneering efforts in harnessing geothermal energy for power generation and heating. With Iceland already boasting a remarkable achievement of powering the entire nation with 100% renewable energy, including heating derived predominantly from geothermal sources, the discus...

US DOE to First Track Romanian Geothermal Feasibility Study

Advancing Energy Solutions: ELCEN's Geothermal Agreement in Washington In a significant stride towards sustainable energy solutions, ELCEN, under the leadership of Gen byeral Director Claudiu Crețu, has inked a pivotal agreement in Washington. The deal focuses on conducting a feasibility study for harnessing geothermal energy to power the district heating system in Bucharest. This endeavor, backed by the Department of Energy (DOE), marks a crucial milestone in Romania's energy landscape. The announcement was made by Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, who highlighted the collaborative efforts between Romania and the United States in advancing energy initiatives. With Romania emerging as a respected entity in the global energy arena, partnerships like these underscore its commitment to innovation and progress. The agreement signifies more than just a technical study; it embodies a shared vision for sustainable development and economic prosperity. By exploring geothermal energ...

Geothermal Collegiate Competition under US DOE Announces Winners

 Exploring the Future of Geothermal Energy: The Geothermal Collegiate Competition The Geothermal Collegiate Competition (GCC), an initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), has been paving the way for innovative geothermal solutions while fostering the talents of students from collegiate institutions across the nation. This annual competition not only offers cash prizes but also provides invaluable industry experience, networking opportunities, and a chance to contribute to the clean energy transition. Empowering Students for a Sustainable Future The GCC serves as a platform for students from diverse academic backgrounds to engage with real-world challenges in the renewable energy sector. Whether majoring in engineering, economics, environmental science, or any other field, students are encouraged to participate and apply their skills to develop geothermal solutions. This hands-on experience not only enriches their academic journey but also ...

US DOE Invests $60 M Fervo, Chevron New Energies and Mazama Energy Geothermal Projects

Biden Administration Invests $60M in Geothermal Energy Projects In a significant move towards combating climate change and promoting renewable energy, the Biden administration has allocated $60 million towards three geothermal energy pilot projects. Geothermal energy harnesses the heat from the Earth's core, providing a carbon-free source of power that doesn't emit greenhouse gases. This investment aims to demonstrate the viability of utilizing geothermal energy on a larger scale, paving the way for cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. Details of the Projects: The three projects selected to receive federal funding are diverse in location and scope. The Chevron New Energies project in California, the Fervo Energy project in Utah, and the Mazama Energy project in Oregon will each play a crucial role in showcasing the effectiveness of geothermal energy from man-made reservoirs. These initiatives are not only aimed at generating electricity but also at providing heat for ...

US DOE Articulates $31M in EGS and Low Temperature Geothermal Projects

"Empowering Geothermal Innovation: $31M Funding Opportunity to Drive Sustainable Energy Solutions" The U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) has opened a remarkable funding opportunity, offering up to $31 million to support groundbreaking projects in the field of geothermal energy. This initiative, announced on January 30, 2024, aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to achieving carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 and a net-zero-emissions economy by 2050. Unleashing Potential with Two Dynamic Topic Areas Topic Area 1: Revolutionizing Downhole Tools The first topic area, with a generous funding of up to $23.1 million, targets projects that address downhole cement and casing evaluation tools. These tools play a pivotal role in high-temperature and hostile geothermal wellbores, essential for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Current off-the-shelf solutions cater to the oil and gas industry's upper temperature needs...

Popular posts from this blog

Sage Geosystems’ Project Vector: EGS at Ormat Blue Mountain Plant

Sage Geosystems Selects Ormat’s Blue Mountain Plant for Project Vector: a Major Step Toward Commercial EGS Sage Geosystems will deploy its proprietary EGS technology at Ormat’s Blue Mountain power plant in Nevada for Project Vector, targeting first electricity in 2027 and full-scale production in 2028. The two-well project aims to deliver firm, 24/7 geothermal power with lower water losses and higher net output,advancing commercial EGS, validating GeoTwin predictive modeling, and strengthening strategic ties with Ormat amid growing corporate demand for reliable baseload clean energy. Why this matters Sage Geosystems’ selection of Ormat Technologies’ Blue Mountain geothermal plant for Project Vector represents a pivotal demonstration of commercial-scale enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) integrated into existing power infrastructure. The decision leverages an established plant to reduce non-core capital, accelerate timeline risk reduction, and prioritize validation of subsurface engineer...

Vulcan Energy Starts Lionheart 30MW Geothermal & 24,000tpa Lithium Plant , Landau

Vulcan Energy Kicks Off Civil Works at Lionheart: Europe’s Flagship Geothermal + Lithium Plant Starts Rising in Landau Image: The vulcan Lionheart project in Landau, Upper Rhine Graben  Vulcan Energy Resources has started civil construction on its 30 MW Lionheart Geothermal Power Plant in Landau, Germany a milestone that turns engineering blueprints into concrete reality for one of Europe’s most ambitious integrated geothermal and direct lithium extraction (DLE) projects. The first concrete layers are down, foundations are being formed, and supporting infrastructure works are under way. For stakeholders across the clean‑energy and critical minerals value chains, Lionheart represents far more than a single power station: it’s a demonstration of industrial symbiosis, price resilience, and a pathway to decarbonized battery supply chains in Europe. Why Landau matters: location, geology, and industrial context Landau sits in the Upper Rhine Graben, a tectonic trough with a favorable geo...

TEVERRA Joins Alaska DOE Geothermal Initiative to Reduce Risk

TEVERRA Joins $5 Million DOE Geothermal Initiative in Alaska Alaska is entering an important new phase in its geothermal energy development, with TEVERRA joining a $5 million U.S. Department of Energy-supported initiative focused on accelerating geothermal development across the state. The project brings together researchers, government geoscientists and private-sector subsurface specialists from the  University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS), TEVERRA and Logic Geophysics. At the center of the initiative is a challenge that has constrained geothermal development in many parts of the world: the subsurface is difficult to understand before expensive drilling begins. For Alaska, where geothermal resources are distributed across a vast and geologically complex landscape, improving the quality of geological, geophysical and geomechanical information could become an important step toward...

The "Heat-as-a-Service" (HaaS) Business Model: Geothermal Without the CAPEX Nightmare

Heat-as-a-Service takes geothermal from a capital-intensive power project to a financeable, contract-based heat utility: instead of selling electrons, you sell stable, decarbonized heat under long-term contracts that match what industrial customers and investors actually want. Image: A thematic picture of a geothermal power plant By shifting risk and ownership away from end users and toward specialised developers and infrastructure capital, it can unlock geothermal in markets where electricity tariffs are low but demand for reliable, low-carbon process heat is strong. From kWh to “heat-as-a-service” Traditional geothermal projects earn revenue by selling electricity into a grid, often at wholesale prices that barely cover high up-front drilling and plant costs unless there is a feed-in tariff or premium.Many industrial users, however, do not need electricity; they need heat for processes like brewing, greenhouse climate control or pulp and paper production, and they currently buy that ...

Fervo and Google Sign Record 396 MW Geothermal Deal for Utah Data Center Power.

Fervo and Google sign world’s largest deal for next-gen geothermal power Fervo Energy’s latest agreement with Google is a major milestone for next-generation geothermal and a clear sign that big tech is getting more serious about 24/7 clean power. The deal covers 396 MW from Fervo’s Cape Station project in Utah, with the option for Google to expand its commitment later, potentially pushing the relationship much closer to gigawatt scale.   For the geothermal sector, the significance goes beyond one contract. It is a public validation that enhanced geothermal systems can attract a blue-chip corporate buyer at a size usually associated with utility-scale solar, wind, gas, or nuclear procurement. For Google, it strengthens a strategy centered on securing always-available, carbon-free electricity for future data center growth.   Fervo’s announcement also lands at a moment when electricity demand is rising fast, especially from artificial intelligence infrastructure. Tha...

Geothermal Well Cost 2026: Country Benchmarks, Drilling Costs per Meter, Depth & Reservoir Risk, and Investment Insights

Geothermal Well Cost by Country (2026): Drivers, Benchmarks, and Investment Implications image: a thematic image of a geothermal field Geothermal drilling remains one of the most capital‑intensive steps in developing clean, dispatchable energy. In 2026 the headline fact is familiar: drilling costs vary sharply between countries and projects. But the deeper story is about why those costs vary, which factors are controllable, and how investors, developers, and policymakers should interpret country‑level benchmarks. This article explains the technical and commercial drivers behind geothermal well expense, surveys the cost landscape across major geothermal markets in 2026, illustrates the dynamics with project examples and recent performance data, and offers practical recommendations for modeling, financing, and policy design. Why geothermal wells are expensive Drilling a geothermal well is not simply “digging a hole.” It is a technically complex, multi‑phase process that combines explorat...

Geothermal Rare Earth Elements from Brines: Unlocking Critical Minerals, Lithium, and Strategic Metals from Clean Geothermal Energy

Geothermal brines can become a meaningful source of rare earth elements (REEs) and other critical minerals, but the industry is still in an early, pre‐commercial phase where technology, economics, and policy need to align.  Why Geothermal Brines Matter for Critical Minerals Geothermal systems circulate hot, mineral-rich fluids through crustal rocks, dissolving metals and concentrating them in brines that already flow through wells for power and heat. Unlike conventional mining, which moves huge volumes of rock, geothermal operations tap fluids that are already being pumped, monitored, and handled for energy production.  Several factors make geothermal brines attractive for critical minerals: - They contain lithium, REEs, and other valuable metals at trace to moderate concentrations. - Infrastructure (wells, pipelines, power plants) already exists at many sites. - Co-production of minerals with baseload renewable energy lowers the carbon footprint of supply chains.  For co...

Mazama Energy Raises $135M for Superhot Geothermal Power

Mazama Energy Raises $135M to Drill Superhot Geothermal Wells for AI Power Mazama Energy’s new $135 million Series B is a major signal that superhot geothermal is moving from frontier science toward real commercial deployment. The company says the capital will help it drill deeper, develop horizontal wells in superhot rock, and move closer to generating electricity next year from its Oregon project.   Mazama Energy’s $135 Million Funding Round Mazama Energy announced an oversubscribed Series B totaling $135 million, with backing from major climate and energy investors. The round was led by Centaurus Capital and Doerr Capital, and it also drew participation from ConocoPhillips, Shell Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Gates Frontier, SiteGround Capital, H. Barton Asset Management, and the Jeffrey and Marieke Rothschild Foundation.   That investor mix matters because it shows geothermal is attracting both traditional energy capital and venture investors. The company was incuba...

Best US States for Geothermal Investment in 2026: Top Markets, Growth Opportunities, and Investor Insights

Best US States for Geothermal Investment The best US states for geothermal investment are California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas, with Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, and Arizona also offering attractive upside depending on whether you want operating assets, early-stage development, or next-generation geothermal exposure. Geothermal is becoming a broader investment story than it was a few years ago. Stronger drilling methods, rising demand for firm clean power, and more state-level policy support are widening the field beyond the traditional western hot spots. Introduction For investors , geothermal is one of the few clean energy technologies that can deliver round-the-clock power with a relatively small land footprint. That reliability is a big advantage in a market where utilities, data centers, and industrial customers increasingly want clean electricity that behaves more like conventional baseload generation. The challenge is that geothermal is highly location-dependent. The qualit...

Global Geothermal Power Market Review 2026.

Global Geothermal Power: Policies, Funding, Wells, Strengths, Opportunities and Barriers Geothermal is moving into a broader investment cycle. In 2026, the story is no longer limited to volcanic power plants in a few classic markets; it now includes enhanced geothermal systems, closed-loop designs, district heating, superhot rock, lithium from brines and industrial heat. Across the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Iceland, France and Italy, the sector is being shaped by a simple question: who is de-risking the first wells, and who is ready to finance the next ones?  United States: the next-generation testbed The United States has the broadest geothermal innovation ecosystem in this group, with a mature conventional base in the West and a fast-growing next-generation pipeline. The main policy signal in 2026 is the Department of Energy’s US$171.5 million funding opportunity for next-generation geothermal field-scale tests, exploration...