2.1. How much geothermal electricity is currently supplied to the U.S.?
According to the GEA's 2013 Annual US Geothermal Power Production and Development Report (April 2013), the U.S. currently has approximately 3,386 MW of installed geothermal capacity, more than any
other country in the world. "At the end 2012, geothermal energy accounted for roughly a third of a percent of total
installed operating capacity in the United States. Additionally, Geothermal was about 1% of
new renewable energy projects brought online in 2012.2 While this number may seem small on
a national scale, geothermal is a significant portion of renewable electricity generation in the
states of CA and NV. While the majority of geothermal installed capacity in the US is
concentrated in California and Nevada, geothermal power plants are also operating or under
construction in Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. A significant
amount of additional geothermal capacity -- 574 - 620 MW -- could become operational by
January 2016 if companies who participated in GEA’s survey bring their plants online on time."
Figure 14: Renewable Energy Generation in California 1983-2006
2.2. Are geothermal projects
currently being developed in the U.S.?
According to the GEA's 2013 Annual US Geothermal Power Production and Development Report (April 2013): "Installed geothermal capacity increased from 3,187 MW in early 2012 to 3,386 MW in February
of 2013. As the economy recovers and the recent language alteration of the PTC tax credit
effects the geothermal industry, significant growth is expected in 2013 and subsequent years.
From the information GEA gathered from reporting companies, up to 14 plants could become
operational in 2013 and 9 new plants in 2014 and 10 more plants in 2015, by over 20 different
companies and organizations making 2013, 2014, and 2015 three of the most significant boom
years for geothermal in decades."
2.3. How much energy does geothermal
supply worldwide?
As of early 2012, GEA identified ~11,224 MW of energy on line at
geothermal power plants in 24 countries around the world.
Countries are listed with Installed Capacity given in MW:
United States 3,187
Philippines 1,904
Indonesia 1,222
Mexico 958
Italy 883
New Zealand 768
Iceland 661
Japan 535
El Salvador 204
Kenya 202
Costa Rica 208
Nicaragua 124
Russia 82
Turkey 93
Papua New Guinea 56
Guatemala 52
Portugal 29
China 24
France 16
Ethiopia 7
Germany 7
Austria 1
Australia 1
Thailand 0.3
TOTAL: 11,224.3
Page updated June 2013
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