ALPHAXIOMS Geothermal News & Energy Research

The 2025 U.S. Geothermal Market Report published by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR, formerly NREL) in collaboration with Geothermal Rising and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO), provides a comprehensive update on the geothermal sector since the 2021 report.  By:  Robert Buluma Released in 2025 (with data through mid-2025), it expands coverage to include geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) for single-building and district applications, alongside power generation and direct use. The report highlights steady growth in installed capacity, accelerating investment in next-generation technologies like enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) and closed-loop geothermal (CLG), cost declines, policy support, and emerging opportunities driven by demand for reliable, 24/7 clean energy. Geothermal Power Generation: Steady Growth and Momentum U.S. geothermal power has seen consistent expansion, with nameplate installed capacity reaching 3,96...

Harnessing Earth's Fury: SMUD and Calpine's Bold Expansion at The Geysers Geothermal Field Deep beneath the rolling hills of Northern California, a primordial force simmers—a vast reservoir of superheated steam, born from the planet's molten core. This is The Geysers, the world's largest geothermal complex, where the Earth's inner heat is tamed to power homes, businesses, and dreams of a cleaner future. In a significant step forward for renewable energy, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) and Calpine Corporation have announced an extension and expansion of their power purchase agreement (PPA) for geothermal energy from this iconic site. This partnership boosts capacity, fortifies the grid, and promises reliable, zero-carbon power for decades to come. The Geysers' story blends natural wonder with human innovation. Revered for millennia, the area saw commercial geothermal power generation begin in 1960. Today, the field spans a vast area in the Mayac...

Switch's Bold Move: Signing a 13MW Geothermal PPA with Ormat Technologies in Nevada – A Game-Changer for Sustainable Data Centers Image: Ormat Power Plant Posted by Alphaxioms Geothermal News on January 12, 2026 Welcome back to Alphaxioms Geothermal News, your go-to source for all things geothermal energy, innovation, and sustainability. As we kick off 2026, the intersection of renewable energy and high-tech industries is heating up—literally. Today, we're diving deep into a groundbreaking announcement that's set to reshape how data centers power their operations. Global data center operator Switch has inked a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Ormat Technologies for 13MW of geothermal power from the Salt Wells geothermal power plant in Nevada. This isn't just another deal; it's a pivotal step toward carbon-free, reliable energy for the AI-driven future. In this comprehensive blog post, we'll unpack the details of this agreement, explore the technolog...

Kenya's Geothermal Revolution: How the China-Backed OrPower 22 Plant is Powering a Sustainable Future By: Robert Buluma Kenya stands tall as a leader in Africa's renewable energy journey, with geothermal power taking center stage. Deep within the dramatic landscapes of the Great Rift Valley lies one of the continent's most abundant and reliable clean energy resources. Experts estimate Kenya's geothermal potential at over 10,000 MW, yet the country has so far developed only a fraction—approximately 950 MW—placing it among the world's top geothermal producers despite utilizing just a small portion of what nature offers. In this exciting chapter of Kenya's energy story, the OrPower 22 geothermal power plant marks a significant milestone. This 35 MW facility, supported by China's Kaishan Group , is scheduled to start delivering electricity to Kenya Power in March 2026. With the plant now complete and testing set to begin shortly, the $92 million (approximately ...

Versailles Embraces Deep Geothermal Energy to Decarbonize Its District Heating Network By Robert Buluma The historic city of Versailles in France's Yvelines department is taking a bold step toward sustainability. On December 18, 2025, Mayor François de Mazières and Franck Lacroix, Deputy Managing Director of Engie , signed a 32-year concession agreement. This partnership entrusts Engie with transforming, modernizing, and greening the city's district heating network, aiming to slash carbon emissions while providing reliable, renewable heat to residents. At the project's core is deep geothermal energy, harnessing the natural heat from underground aquifers. The site targets the Dogger aquifer, a limestone formation from the Middle Jurassic period, located about 1,500 meters below the Paris Basin. Water in this layer reaches temperatures of around 60°C, making it ideal for heating. The plan involves drilling a geothermal doublet two wells: one to extract hot water and another t...

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 ...

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...