ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

$170 Million to Unlock the Heat Beneath: How the Philippines Is De-Risking Geothermal Exploration By: Robert Buluma Geothermal energy has always been one of the Philippines’ greatest untapped strategic advantages an indigenous, low-carbon baseload resource sitting quietly beneath the archipelago’s volcanic spine. Yet for decades, the country’s geothermal expansion has moved cautiously, constrained not by lack of resource potential, but by risk, particularly at the exploration and drilling stage. That may now be changing. In a landmark move, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) have unveiled a $170 million Philippine Geothermal Resource De-Risking Facility (PGRDF),a financial mechanism designed to absorb the most uncertain and capital-intensive phase of geothermal development: early-stage drilling. Backed by a sovereign loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) , the facility signals a bold shift in how governments can catalyze geothermal gro...

A Sweet Transition: How Taiwan Fructose is Powering Philippine Manufacturing with Clean Geothermal Energy By:  Robert Buluma In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, some partnerships stand out as truly inspiring. One such collaboration is between Taiwan Fructose Co. Ltd.'s Philippine subsidiary and First Gen Corporation , which has teamed up to supply the company's Batangas production facility with clean geothermal energy. This innovative agreement not only ensures reliable power for manufacturing sweeteners but also marks a significant step toward decarbonizing industrial operations in the Philippines. It's a perfect example of how renewable energy can sweeten the deal for both business and the environment. The partnership was recently announced, allowing Taiwan Fructose (Philippines) — a leading global supplier of high-quality sweeteners — to draw electricity directly from First Gen-EDC's Bacon-Manito (Bac-Man) geothermal complex located in the Bicol regio...

Geothermal Energy Permits in Denmark: Mapping the Country’s Quiet Heat Revolution (December 2025) By: Robert Buluma Denmark is globally admired for its wind power leadership, ambitious climate policies, and strong district heating systems. Yet beneath its flat landscapes lies another energy resource that is steadily gaining strategic importance: geothermal energy. As of December 2025, Denmark’s geothermal sector is entering a new phase marked by fresh permit applications, and even approval  expanding geographic interest, and stronger alignment with the country’s long-term decarbonization goals. An overview of current geothermal permits and applications reveals not only where development is happening, but also how geothermal energy is quietly positioning itself as a cornerstone of Denmark’s renewable heat future. Geothermal Energy and Denmark’s Heat Transition More than 60 percent of Danish households are connected to district heating networks, making heat decarbonization a national...

Prenzlau’s Geothermal Breakthrough: A Decisive Step Toward a Fully Renewable Heat Future By: Robert Buluma The city of Prenzlau, located in northeastern Germany, has reached a major milestone in its transition toward sustainable energy. In December 2025, Stadtwerke Prenzlau announced a decisive breakthrough in its geothermal project after successfully encountering geothermal water at a depth of 983 meters. This discovery represents a critical step forward for the city’s ambition to fully decarbonize its heat supply and positions Prenzlau as a leading example of how medium-sized towns can harness geothermal energy for district heating. The geothermal water discovered during drilling operations is estimated to be around 200 million years old and is contained within a saline sandstone formation deep underground. With a temperature of approximately 44°C and a planned production rate of 130 cubic meters per hour, the resource offers a reliable and continuous source of renewable heat. A test...

An Eight-Billion-Forint Geothermal Bet: Drilling the Future Beneath Kiskunhalas By Robert Buluma | Alphaxioms Insights |  Beneath the vast plains of Hungary’s Great Alföld, immense heat has been quietly stored for millions of years. Now, that hidden energy is poised to reshape the country’s energy future. The region around Kiskunhalas is set to become a focal point of Hungary’s geothermal ambitions, following the signing of a HUF 7.86 billion (approximately EUR 20 million) contract for geothermal drilling and well-testing works. The agreement was signed by a subsidiary of MVM Group , Hungary’s state-owned energy company, and covers geothermal exploration activities to be carried out over the next three years across several areas of the Great Plain. This marks one of the most significant state-backed geothermal initiatives in Hungary in recent years. Unlocking Earth’s Heat to Cut Energy Dependence The project’s strategic objective is clear: to pave the way for geothermal power pla...

Constellation–Calpine Merger: Why Geothermal and Firm Clean Power Now Matter More Than Ever By: Robert Buluma The U.S. electricity sector is entering a defining moment, one where scale, regulatory scrutiny, and the search for firm clean power, are converging. The approval of Constellation’s $26.6 billion acquisition of Calpine is not just a headline-grabbing merger; it is a powerful signal about the future structure of power markets and the growing strategic value of geothermal energy and other always-on renewables. As federal regulators force divestments, allow unprecedented scale, and reassert antitrust authority, one question becomes unavoidable: **where does geothermal fit in a power system increasingly dominated by mega-utilities? The Deal,and Why It Matters for Clean Baseload To close the acquisition, Constellation agreed to divest six power plants and a minority stake in a seventh across Texas, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. These concessions were demanded by federal regulators c...

Nairobi 2029: Africa’s Turn to Host the World Geothermal Congress What It Means for African Baseload Power By:  Robert Buluma When Nairobi was selected to host the World Geothermal Congress (WGC) in 2029, it marked a historic turning point for both Kenya and the African continent. For the first time, the world’s most influential geothermal gathering will be held in Africa, sending a powerful signal: geothermal energy is no longer a niche technology discussed mainly in Europe, North America, or parts of Asia,it is now firmly rooted in Africa’s energy future. By edging out strong bids from traditional powerhouses such as Brussels and Germany, Nairobi’s victory underscores Kenya’s growing reputation as a global geothermal leader and positions Africa at the center of critical conversations about clean, reliable, baseload energy. Why Nairobi—and Why It Matters Kenya’s selection was not symbolic goodwill; it was earned. Over the past two decades, the country has quietly built one of the ...

Chevron CEO Sees Growing Potential in Biofuels and Geothermal Energy Posted by  Robert Buluma | December 11, 2025 The energy world is changing fast, and Chevron, one of the oldest and largest oil companies on the planet, is not sitting on the sidelines. In a recent wide-ranging interview with The Wall Street Journal, Chevron CEO Mike Wirth made it clear: the company sees major, long-term growth in two areas that have nothing to do with crude oil,biofuels and geothermal energy. For a company built on drilling for hydrocarbons, this pivot toward heat from the Earth’s core and fuels grown from plants is nothing short of remarkable. From Black Gold to Green Heat: Why Chevron Is Betting Big on Geothermal Geothermal energy has long been the quiet, reliable cousin in the renewable family,always there, rarely flashy, but suddenly very attractive. Unlike solar panels that go dark at night or wind turbines that stop when the air is still, geothermal plants deliver steady, 24/7 baseload p...

Alexander Oxley Acquires Slatina-3 Geothermal Exploration Field in Croatia Published: November 24, 2025 Author:  Robert Buluma In a quiet but significant move for Croatia’s emerging geothermal sector, British investor Jordan Alexander Oxley has acquired the Slatina-3 geothermal exploration field near Slatina in Virovitica-Podravina County. The asset was previously owned by EES Dravacell Energy , a company majority-controlled by London-based Cindrigo that filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. Oxley emerged as the sole bidder in the bankruptcy sale and secured the property for €400,000, double the initial asking price of €200,000, according to bankruptcy administrator Verko Kutleša in an interview with Jutarnji list. The transaction includes the exploration license and the existing exploration well. Bankruptcy proceedings for EES Dravacell Energy are still ongoing, but the geothermal asset has now changed hands. Background of the Project Cindrigo originally planned to develop a 2...