
The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) has issed a report on geothermal energy in the US in 2009, which shows this branch of the renewable energy industry has experienced a 26% growth in new projects (under development). Some 188 new projects are under way in more than 15 states, expected to result in no less than 7.8 GW of electrical power capacity.
Geothermal energy is being regarded as one of the significant renewables which will contribute to the country's transition towards cleaner energy production. Nevada has been singled out as the most active state with more than 3 GW of geothermal capacity in development.
GEA estimates the ongoing and future developments could result in almost 30,000 permenent jobs. All the projects under development combined represent a total of about USD 35 billion in investments. New projects are being worked on from coast to coast, with identified locations in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The report also shows a rise in small-scale (~1 MW) geothermal power plants. All new projects that came online in 2009 used the new federal tax grant provisions, authorized through the stimulus bill which was passed to create a more attractive investment atmosphere for renewable energy.
[source: Geothermal Energy Association]