Geothermal Power Continues to Grow Rapidly in 2006

November 15, 2006

Roughly 58 new geothermal energy projects are now under development in the United States, according to a new survey from the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA). Compared to a March survey by GEA, the new survey adds a dozen new geothermal energy projects and adds Alaska to the list of states producing geothermal power. The new GEA survey identifies power projects under development in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Utah. See the GEA press release (PDF 50 KB). Download Adobe Reader.

Among the efforts currently underway is a project to build a 25.5-megawatt geothermal plant at The Geysers geothermal field, located 75 miles north of San Francisco, California. Western GeoPower Corporation announced in mid-October that a feasibility study supports building a 25.5-megawatt plant on the site, which is the former location of a 62-megawatt geothermal plant owned by Pacific Gas & Electric Company. Western GeoPower aims to begin drilling at the site early next year and hopes to start developing the power plant in mid-2008. See the Western GeoPower press release.