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Włocławek Drills into the Future: Poland’s Bold New Geothermal Quest Begins

Włocławek Goes Deep: Poland's Latest Leap into Geothermal Energy – A Game-Changer for Clean Heating? By: Robert Buluma Deep beneath the historic streets of Włocławek, a quiet revolution is about to begin. On January 7, 2026, the city signed a landmark contract to drill the exploratory geothermal well Włocławek GT-1, plunging approximately 2700 meters into the earth right next to the local heating company, Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Energetyki Cieplnej (MPEC). This isn't just another construction project—it's a bold step toward ditching coal, slashing emissions, and tapping into the Earth's endless heat to warm homes in an eco-friendly way. In the coming days, massive drilling rigs will start humming to life, boring through layers of rock and sediment in search of hot, mineral-rich waters that could completely transform how Włocławek heats its apartments, schools, factories, and public buildings. If the results are positive, this single borehole could open the door to a ...

Germany set to fund North Rhine-Westphalia Geothermals quest

The Hidden Treasure Beneath Our Feet: How Geothermal Energy is Powering Tomorrow's Heat Supply in North Rhine-Westphalia By:  Robert Buluma Imagine standing in the heart of an industrial city like Duisburg, where once coal-fired power plants dominated the skyline, and now a quiet revolution is brewing deep underground. On January 8, 2026, North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy, Mona Neubaur,handed over a funding notice worth approximately 7.5 million euros to the Stadtwerke Duisburg. This isn't just paperwork ,it's the key to unlocking a sustainable future for heat supply in one of Germany's most populous regions. This milestone marks a bold step in NRW's ambitious push toward a climate-neutral heat supply by 2045. At the center of this transformation stands geothermal energy,the reliable, weather-independent heat stored beneath our feet. Duisburg's exploration drilling project exemplifies how the stat...

GEOLOG Acquires Quad Ltd and QO Inc. to Revamp Wellsite Geology and Pore Pressure Outreach

Revolutionizing the Depths: How GEOLOG's Strategic Acquisition is Supercharging Geothermal Energy's Future By: Robert Buluma Imagine plunging miles beneath the Earth's surface, tapping into an ancient furnace of heat that never sleeps, never falters, and never runs out. This is geothermal energy—the planet's own endless battery, capable of powering civilizations with clean, reliable electricity around the clock. While solar panels go dark at night and wind turbines stand idle in calm air, geothermal delivers baseload power with capacity factors often above 90%. In a world racing toward net-zero emissions and facing exploding energy demands from data centers, electric vehicles, and industrial growth, geothermal is emerging as the sleeping giant ready to awaken. Scaling geothermal globally, however, is no simple task. Drilling deep into the crust exposes crews to extreme conditions: temperatures soaring past 300°C, highly corrosive fluids, and rock so hard it can destroy...

FORGE: Engineering the Earth’s Heat and Redefining the Future of Geothermal Energy

FORGE: Engineering the Earth’s Heat and Redefining the Future of Geothermal Energy Deep beneath our feet lies an energy source so vast that it could power civilization for millennia. It does not depend on sunshine, wind patterns, rainfall, or seasons. It operates day and night, immune to geopolitical disruptions and fuel price volatility. This source is geothermal energy — and at the heart of its most ambitious transformation sits a groundbreaking initiative known as the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE). FORGE is not a power plant. It is not a commercial geothermal field. It is something far more radical: a living laboratory designed to solve the single greatest challenge holding geothermal energy back from global dominance how to engineer reliable geothermal reservoirs anywhere on Earth. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the FORGE program, exploring its goals and objectives, examining its current status and future direction, and distilling...

Geo Dipa's Game-Changing Leap: Commercial Silica and Lithium Production from Geothermal Brines by 2028

Geo Dipa's Ambitious Leap: Extracting Silica and Lithium from Geothermal Brines by 2028 Introduction In an era where the global energy transition demands sustainable sources of critical minerals, Indonesia's state-owned PT Geo Dipa Energi ( Persero ) is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation. By 2028, Geo Dipa plans to commence commercial production of silica and lithium extracted from geothermal brines, a byproduct of its geothermal power operations. This initiative not only diversifies the company's revenue streams but also aligns with Indonesia's broader goals of enhancing renewable energy capacity and supporting the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain.  Geothermal energy, harnessed from the Earth's heat, produces hot brines rich in dissolved minerals like lithium and silica. Traditionally viewed as waste, these brines are now seen as valuable resources. Geo Dipa's strategy builds on years of feasibility studies and international partnershi...

Banda Baru Geothermal Tender Flops: Zero Bidders Step Forward

Banda Baru Geothermal Survey Tender Fails to Attract Bidders By:  Robert Buluma Indonesia's push toward renewable energy suffered a notable setback in late 2025 when the tender for the Preliminary Survey and Exploration Assignment (WPSPE) of the Banda Baru Sepa geothermal block closed without a single bidder. Located on the remote Seram Island in Maluku Province, this 1,989-hectare site was seen as a promising addition to the nation's geothermal portfolio, with estimated potential of around 25-30 MW. The tender, open from October 31 to December 1, 2025, aimed to assign a developer for initial surveys and exploration, but the lack of interest underscores deep-rooted challenges in attracting investment to Indonesia's geothermal sector. Seram Island, a rugged and largely undeveloped landmass north of Ambon, is characterized by dense rainforests, towering mountains, and limited infrastructure. The Banda Baru block's location amplifies logistical difficulties, making it a to...

FINANCING STRATEGIES FOR GEOTHERMAL PROJECTS LEVERAGING TAX CREDIT INCENTIVES

FINANCING STRATEGIES FOR GEOTHERMAL PROJECTS LEVERAGING TAX CREDIT INCENTIVES Aligning Policy, Risk Mitigation, and Investor Capital to Unlock Geothermal Growth Geothermal energy stands at a unique crossroads in the global energy transition. It is one of the few renewable resources capable of delivering continuous, baseload power and heat, independent of weather conditions. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal offers grid stability, industrial heat, and long-term energy security. Yet despite its immense potential, geothermal deployment has historically lagged behind other renewables due to high upfront capital costs, geological uncertainty, and complex financing requirements. In recent years, governments and financial institutions have increasingly turned to **tax credit incentives as a strategic lever to overcome these barriers. By reducing capital expenditure, improving cash flow profiles, and attracting institutional investors, tax credits are reshaping how geothermal projects are fina...