Report shows US geothermal power growth

The April 2010 US Geothermal Power Production and Development Update showed 26 per cent growth in new projects under development in the US in the past year, with 188 projects under way in 15 US states.

When completed, these projects will add more than 7,000MW of baseload power capacity, roughly equivalent to the total power used in California from coal-fired power plants.

Nevada continued to be the leading state for new geothermal energy, with more than 3,000MW under development. The fastest-growing geothermal power states were Utah, which quadrupled its geothermal power under development, New Mexico, which tripled, Idaho, which doubled, and Oregon, which reported a 50 per cent increase. In addition, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas all reported their first geothermal projects.

According to the GEA, the projects under development will represent capital investment of more than $35bn (£23bn) when completed.

New geothermal power projects are in progress in 15 states from the Pacific to the Gulf Coast. The GEA identified new projects in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.