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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 ...

Kalisz Goes Geothermal: Drilling 1,700 Meters for Thermal Pools, Heated Homes & Cleaner Air

Kalisz Embarks on Geothermal Revolution: 1,700-Meter Well to Unlock Network of Thermal Pools, Heated Apartment Blocks, and Homes By: Robert Buluma In the heart of Poland’s Greater Poland Voivodeship, the historic city of Kalisz is taking a bold leap into the renewable energy future. On February 25, 2026, city authorities signed a landmark contract to drill an exploratory geothermal well reaching 1,700 meters deep. The project, dubbed “Kalisz GT1,” aims to confirm the presence, quality, temperature, and productivity of thermal waters beneath the city — potentially transforming Kalisz into a hub for low-carbon district heating and a network of therapeutic thermal pools. The headline-grabbing Polish announcement — “Sieć basenów termalnych, ogrzane bloki i domy. Miasto drąży odwiert na 1700 metrów” — perfectly captures the ambition: a geothermal-powered network of thermal baths, heated residential blocks, and family homes. If successful, this could slash heating costs, improve air quality,...

Jollibee Group Switches Philippine Commissaries to 99% Renewable Energy – Powered by Geothermal from First Gen!

The Jollibee Group , the powerhouse behind the iconic fast-food chain loved across the Philippines and beyond, has taken a massive step toward sustainability.  By: Robert Buluma In a groundbreaking move announced in early February 2026, the company has shifted 99% of the electricity needs for its Philippine commissaries to renewable geothermal power supplied by First Gen Corporation. This isn't just a small tweak,it's a major leap in reducing environmental impact while keeping the joy flowing through millions of meals daily. What Are Commissaries and Why Do They Matter? Commissaries are the large-scale food production and distribution hubs where Jollibee prepares ingredients, sauces, patties, and other essentials before sending them to thousands of stores. These facilities consume substantial energy for refrigeration, cooking, processing, and logistics—making them prime targets for greener upgrades. By going renewable here, Jollibee tackles emissions at the source of its supply...

Dutch-Ukrainian Collaboration Launches Pre-Feasibility Study: Shallow Geothermal District Heating Takes Off in Starokostiantyniv, Ukraine – Powered by RVO & Embassy Support!

Ukraine's Push for Sustainable Heating: The Starokostiantyniv Shallow Geothermal District Heating Project By: Robert Buluma In the heart of Central Ukraine, the town of Starokostiantyniv in the Khmelnytskyi region is stepping into a promising future for clean, reliable heating. A new collaborative initiative, funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine, has officially launched. Titled "Shallow Geothermal District Heating in Ukraine," this pre-feasibility study and regulatory recommendations project aims to integrate innovative shallow geothermal technology into the town's district heating system. This development comes at a critical time for Ukraine. The ongoing war has severely disrupted traditional energy supplies, making energy security and resilience top priorities. District heating, which serves a large portion of urban populations through centralized systems, remains heavily reliant...

Strataphy and Saudi Tabreed Forge Groundbreaking Partnership: Pioneering Geothermal Cooling for Saudi Arabia's AI and Digital Infrastructure Boom

The recent announcement from Stratatphy marks a significant step in sustainable infrastructure development in Saudi Arabia. At the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Private Sector Forum held February 9-10, 2026, in Riyadh, Strataphy signed a strategic agreement with Saudi Tabreed District Cooling Company, a key player backed by the PIF. By:  Robert Buluma Image:Strataphy and Saudi Tabreed Forge Groundbreaking Partnership: Pioneering Geothermal Cooling for Saudi Arabia's AI and Digital Infrastructure Boom This partnership integrates Strataphy's innovative PrimeLoop geothermal cooling technology with Saudi Tabreed's established district cooling platforms. The goal is to address the escalating cooling demands driven by Saudi Arabia's massive buildup of AI and digital infrastructure, including over 3 GW of planned data center capacity.  The Cooling Crisis in the Age of AI Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030 and beyond includes transforming the Kingdom into a global hub fo...

Safran & Dalkia Pioneer France's First Industrial Deep Geothermal Plant in ÃŽle-de-France

Pioneering Industrial Deep Geothermal in ÃŽle-de-France: Safran Aircraft Engines and Dalkia Achieve Major Milestone at Villaroche Site By: Robert Buluma In a major step forward for industrial decarbonization in France, Safran Aircraft Engines — a global leader in aeronautical propulsion — has partnered with Dalkia (an EDF subsidiary) to develop the first deep geothermal station dedicated to industry in the ÃŽle-de-France region. Announced in a press release on February 18, 2026, the project at Safran's Villaroche industrial site in Seine-et-Marne has reached a key milestone: the producer well (puits producteur) has been successfully drilled to a depth of 1,650 meters, tapping into naturally heated water at around 75°C. Drilling for the injector well is now underway, with completion expected in April 2026 and full commissioning of the geothermal plant targeted for autumn 2026. This innovative installation combines deep geothermal energy, high-efficiency heat pumps, and modernized ...

BGS Seeks Your Input: Shaping the Future of Geothermal Subsurface Data for Shallow Heat Pumps Across Great Britain

UK's British Geological Survey Seeks Your Input: Shaping the Future of Shallow Geothermal Data Products for Net Zero Heating By:  Robert Buluma The British Geological Survey (BGS) , in collaboration with Energy Systems Catapult (ESC), is gearing up to revolutionize how we access and use subsurface data for shallow geothermal energy—and they're actively asking for stakeholder feedback right now! Published on 24 February 2026, this exciting initiative aims to turn BGS's vast geological expertise and datasets into practical, user-friendly products that accelerate the rollout of ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) and other shallow geothermal solutions across Great Britain. With the UK's ambitious Net Zero targets demanding low-carbon heating alternatives, this could be a game-changer for buildings, heat networks, and decarbonization efforts. Why This Project Matters Shallow geothermal technologies, like closed-loop GSHPs, tap into the stable temperatures just below ground le...

Gradient Geothermal Teams Up with GEOT.Ai: Geothermal to Power Next-Gen AI Factories in LA Basin

The recent announcement from Gradient Geothermal  marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of renewable energy and artificial intelligence infrastructure.  By:  Robert Buluma On February 25, 2026, the Denver-based geothermal company signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Muir Global Holdings, LLC, the incubator of GEOT.Ai, to develop behind-the-meter geothermal power solutions specifically tailored for AI factories. The initial focus is a proposed pilot project in the Los Angeles Basin, southern California, aiming to deliver up to 5 megawatts of clean, reliable geothermal energy to power high-density AI compute clusters. This partnership is more than just another energy deal—it's a blueprint for reimagining how we power the AI revolution while addressing escalating concerns over grid strain, carbon emissions, and energy security. Why AI Factories Need Dedicated, Reliable PowerThe explosive growth of artificial intelligence has created unprecedented en...

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GDC Opens Restricted Tender for Menengai Wellbore Scale Services

GDC Opens Restricted Tender for Menengai Wellbore Scale Services Kenya’s Geothermal Development Company Limited (GDC) has announced a new restricted tender targeting one of the most technically important challenges in geothermal field operations: scale formation and its removal from geothermal wells and formations . The procurement notice, posted by GDC on 29 September 2026 , seeks qualified firms to provide specialized downhole wellbore and formation-scale removal and scaling mitigation services for geothermal wells and reservoirs at the Menengai Geothermal Field . The planned service period is three years , creating an opportunity for specialized geothermal service companies with experience in downhole intervention, scale management, wellbore remediation and formation-scale mitigation. According to the notice, interested and qualified firms must submit their full company details and contacts together with their Electronic Government Procurement System (eGP) registration number t...

Maren Maras plans 99-MW geothermal power development in Aydin, Türkiye

Maren Maras plans 99-MW geothermal power development in Aydin, Türkiye Maren Maras is planning a 99-MW geothermal development in Aydın’s Germencik district, consisting of three 33-MW plants with binary-cycle technology, based on regulatory filings and the Final EIA report. The project is expected to generate about 730 GWh annually and requires an estimated TRY 1.82 billion investment. Maren Maras Plans 99-MW Geothermal Power Development in Aydın, Türkiye Maren Maras Elektrik Üretim Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Åž., part of KipaÅŸ Holding, has advanced plans for a major geothermal expansion in Türkiye’s Aydın province. According to regulatory documents and reporting on the company’s environmental filings, the project will add 99 MW of installed geothermal capacity in the Germencik district through three separate 33-MW power plants.  The project adds another large-scale development to one of Türkiye’s most active geothermal regions. Aydın has long been a core province for geothermal power in th...

Global Geothermal Policy Outlook for 2027 Across Key Markets

Global Geothermal and Energy Policies for 2027: A Future Outlook Introduction The next phase of global geothermal development will be shaped not only by geology and technology, but increasingly by national energy policy . Governments are now treating geothermal as more than a niche source of heat or power . They are beginning to see it as a practical option for firm low-carbon electricity, district heating, industrial heat, and energy security. That shift matters because geothermal projects are unusually sensitive to policy design. Exploration is capital intensive, drilling is expensive, subsurface risk is real, and project timelines can stretch over years before revenue begins. In other words, geothermal is not just an engineering challenge. It is also a finance, regulation, and infrastructure challenge. Looking toward 2027, five countries offer a useful benchmark for where geothermal policy may be heading: the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, and France. Each countr...

North Rhine-Westphalia Deep Geothermal Energy District Heating Expansion

North Rhine-Westphalia Pushes Geothermal Into Mainstream Heat Supply With New Deep Drilling Projects North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is accelerating its push to make geothermal energy a major component of the region’s future heat supply, with the state backing exploration, drilling, feasibility studies and financial mechanisms designed to reduce the risks associated with developing underground heat resources. The latest developments were presented at the 21st Geothermal Conference in Bochum, hosted by NRW.Energy4Climate and the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geotechnologies IEG (Fraunhofer IEG). The conference highlighted a growing transition in NRW geothermal development: geothermal energy is moving beyond research and individual demonstration projects toward practical deployment in municipal heating, district heating networks, residential developments and industrial applications. The state has already financed measurements and drilling activities across s...

Geothermal Funding, August ,September 2027 With Intelligence into 2028

Geothermal Funding in August and September 2027: Investment Outlook and Intelligence Into 2028 Geothermal funding in August and September 2027 is likely to focus on projects that can demonstrate commercial resource potential, credible drilling plans, secure offtake, and a clear path to construction. The market will increasingly move beyond broad technology experimentation toward financeable geothermal assets supported by government grants, development-finance institutions, strategic investors, utilities, and corporate power buyers. The most significant investment themes will likely include enhanced geothermal systems , exploration drilling, closed-loop geothermal , data-center power supply, conventional geothermal expansion in East Africa, and blended finance for emerging markets. By 2028, investors are expected to distinguish more sharply between companies with proven technical performance and those still dependent on laboratory results or unconfirmed resource estimates. The 2027 Fun...

Sonoma Clean Power secures $20M in state funding to advance California geothermal initiative

Sonoma Clean Power Secures $20 Million in State Funding to Advance California Geothermal Initiative Sonoma Clean Power has secured $20 million in state support for its California geothermal initiative, a milestone that strengthens the case for next-generation geothermal development in the state. The funding is aimed at reducing early-stage exploration risk, with private-sector partners expected to match the public investment, bringing the total pool to $40 million.   A major step for GeoZone The announcement builds on Sonoma Clean Power’s GeoZone strategy, which targets 600 megawatts of next-generation geothermal energy across Sonoma and Mendocino counties over the next decade. The initiative is designed to secure affordable, reliable clean power for local customers while advancing California’s broader clean-energy goals.  The latest funding breakthrough gives the project more momentum at a critical stage. In geothermal development, exploratory drilling is often one of th...

Quaise Energy Secures DOE Funding for Superhot Geothermal Plant

Quaise Energy Wins DOE Support for Project Obsidian as Superhot Geothermal Moves Toward Commercial Scale Quaise Energy’s selection for up to $25 million in U.S. Department of Energy support is a meaningful milestone for superhot geothermal power, especially because it is tied to Project Obsidian, the company’s flagship commercial-scale Enhanced Geothermal System in Central Oregon. The award strengthens the case that superhot geothermal is shifting from laboratory promise toward field-tested infrastructure, with the first well triplet designed to validate a path to more than 25 megawatts of gross electric power and future expansion potential much larger than that.  DOE backs superhot geothermal The U.S. Department of Energy selected Quaise under its Next-Generation Geothermal Field Tests and Geothermal Resource Characterization and Confirmation funding opportunity, part of a broader $99 million geothermal push announced this week .According to DOE, the selected projects are mean...

Green Therma deploys closed-loop geothermal demonstration in Groß Schönebeck, Germany

Green Therma deploys demonstration of closed-loop geothermal in Groß Schönebeck, Germany Green Therma has deployed its closed-loop geothermal demonstration at the Groß Schönebeck research site in Germany, and the project is now moving from installation into operation. The system is intended to test the company’s Heat4Ever/DualVac concept under real geothermal conditions at depths of more than 3 kilometers.  Green Therma deploys closed-loop geothermal demonstration in Groß Schönebeck, Germany Green Therma has reached an important milestone in the development of closed-loop geothermal technology with the deployment of its demonstration project at the Groß Schönebeck research site in Germany. The company says the system is now circulating water through a single-well closed-loop configuration, bringing geothermal heat to the surface from more than 3 kilometers underground.  The project is being carried out at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences’ geothermal research facility,...

Belgrade Launches Phase 3 Geothermal Study Tender for District Heating

JKP Beogradske elektrane , has launched a new tender for the third phase of scientific studies into the geothermal potential of underground water resources at sites within its heating-plant and boiler-house network.  The procurement is for services, uses an open procedure, and carries reference number 160 ОУ/26. The submission deadline is 19 October 2026 at 10:30, and the tender status is listed as published.  This procurement is significant because it shows that the city’s geothermal program is moving beyond preliminary exploration and into a more detailed assessment phase. The tender documentation indicates that the work is intended to support the evaluation of geothermal resources for district heating use, which aligns with broader efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in urban heating systems.  What the Tender Covers The procurement title is “Phase 3 scientific study of the geothermal potential of underground water resources in the territory of heating plants and...

Grenada Geothermal Project Advances With Slimhole Wells Procurement.

Grenada’s Geothermal Slimhole Procurement Signals Project Momentum Grenada has moved another step forward in its geothermal drilling program with a new invitation to bid for civil infrastructure and water supply equipment for two geothermal slimhole wells, a procurement package that points to concrete field preparation rather than just planning on paper . The notice breaks the work into three lots and covers access roads, drill pad civil works, water supply infrastructure, and power equipment needed to support drilling operations . Project Context The procurement is being issued by Grenada’s Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy through its Project Management Unit, while the Ministry of Infrastructure serves as the executing agency . The works are tied to the Government of Grenada’s geothermal drilling project and are being financed in part by the Caribbean Development Bank, according to the notice [1]. That funding link matters because it shows the proje...