Number of Geothermal Projects Growing

The Geothermal Energy Asssociation is touting a 20% increase in the number of geothermal energy projects since January.

A survey released by the trade group identified 103 projects underway in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. When developed, these projects could provide nearly 4,000 MW of new electric power, enough electricity to meet the needs of roughly 4 million homes.

Current geothermal capacity on-line is 2,957 MW according to the report, and with the new additions geothermal power could reach nearly 7,000 MW. This would meet the household electricity needs of the cities of Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco and Seattle combined.

The number of geothermal projects has been steadily increasing over the past two years, the report points out. Geothermal power production is headed to meet or exceed recent projections.

California currently as 21 geothermal projects producing 927.6 MW.