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Developing Plants in the United States
Up to 7057.26 MW of new geothermal power plant capacity is currently under development in the United States (this includes projects in the initial development phase). There are a total of 152 geothermal projects confirmed to be in development as of April 2010, representing a 26 percent increase in the number of developing projects reported in March 2009. The 15 states with projects currently under consideration or development are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. GEA's 2010 US Geothermal Power Production and Development Update provides a detailed analysis of US geothermal projects in development, including individual project data by state and a discussion of 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding for geothermal development.
Developing Projects by State:
The projects listed for each state are categorized by the following phases:
Phase 1: Identifying resource, secured rights to resource, pre-drilling exploration
Phase 2: Exploration and/or drilling permits approved, exploration drilling conducted/in progress
Phase 3: Securing PPA and final permits, full size wells drilled, financing secured for portion of project constructed
Phase 4: Plant permit approved, facility in construction, production and injection drilling underway
Unconfirmed: Project information obtained by GEA from publicly available sources but not verified by the project developer
NOTE: GEA is reporting project information that is provided by developers or public sources. We do not independently verify the data provided or warrant its accuracy.
Seven geothermal companies, resorts, utilities, and Native American organizations are currently developing a combined 80 MW of geothermal power for electricity production in Alaska.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 1 |
|
Akutan Geothermal Project |
City of Akutan |
10 |
|
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Unalaska |
City of Unalaska |
10 |
|
|
Mount Spurr |
Ormat |
TBD |
|
Phase 2 |
|
Chena Hot Springs II* |
Chena Hot Springs |
5 |
|
|
Pilgrim Hot Springs |
Unaatuq LLC |
10 |
ARRA Recipient |
Unconfirmed |
|
Tongass* |
Bell Island Hot Springs |
20 |
|
|
SW Alaska Reg. Geo. Energy Project |
Naknek Electric Assoc. |
25 |
ARRA Recipient |
*Received GRED III funding for Phase I and II of project
Arizona currently has one geothermal development project which remains in an unconfirmed phase of development. The Clifton project could provide between 2-20 MW geothermal power to the state. The Arizona State Geological Survey (AZGS) received ARRA funding to assist in the collection of state geological surveys for the National Geothermal Data System.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Unconfirmed |
|
Clifton |
|
2-20 |
|
California currently has 35 projects under development, which could add up to 1997.7 MW installed geothermal capacity to the state's currrent installed capacity of 2565.5 MW. Of these projects, 22 were identified as receiving Deparemtne of Energy (DOE) funding.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 1 |
|
Unnamed Glass Mountain |
Calpine |
320 |
|
|
Unnamed North Geysers |
Calpine |
100 |
|
|
Surprise Valley |
Enel NA |
20 |
|
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NAWS China Lake So Range |
Navy Geothermal Program |
5-15 |
|
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MCAS Yuma Chocolate Mountains |
Navy Geothermal Program |
12-30 |
|
|
NAF El Centro/Superstition Hills |
Navy Geothermal Program |
5-25 |
|
|
Orita 3 |
Ram Power |
40-100 |
|
|
New River |
Ram Power |
40-50 |
ARRA Recipient |
|
Mesquite Lake |
Ram Power |
49.9 |
|
Phase 2 |
|
Fourmile Hill-Glass Mountain |
Calpine |
50 |
|
|
Telephone Flat-Glass Mountain |
Calpine |
50 |
|
|
NAF El Centro/Superstition Mts. |
Navy Geothermal Program |
12-35 |
|
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Marine Corps, Twenty-nine Palms |
Navy Geothermal Program |
5-12 |
|
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Mammoth Phase II |
Ormat |
25 |
|
|
Wister |
Ormat |
30 |
ARRA Recipient |
|
Project CA |
Oski Energy |
TBD |
|
|
KS |
Oski Energy |
75-100 |
|
|
HV |
Oski Energy |
75-100 |
|
|
KN |
Oski Energy |
75-100 |
|
|
Orita 2 |
Ram Power |
40-100 |
|
Phase 3 |
|
Buckeye-North Geysers |
Calpine |
30 |
|
|
Wildhorse-North Geysers |
Calpine |
30-50 |
|
|
East Brawley |
Ormat |
30 |
|
|
Orita 1 |
Ram Power |
40-100 |
|
|
Black Rock 1 |
CalEnergy |
53 |
|
|
Black Rock 2 |
CalEnergy |
53 |
|
|
Black Rock 3 |
CalEnergy |
53 |
|
Phase 4 |
|
Geysers Field |
Ram Power |
35 |
|
|
Hudson Ranch 1 |
CHAR |
49.9 |
|
Unconfirmed |
|
San Felipe |
Esmeralda Energy |
20-25 |
|
|
Bautista |
Esmeralda Energy |
49.9 |
|
|
Truckhaven I |
Iceland America Energy |
49 |
|
|
Salton Sea |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
18-38 |
|
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Modoc |
Vulcan |
20 |
|
|
El Centro* |
|
50 |
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* Pending Action of Volume II of PEIS
Colorado has one project underway. Located at Mount Princeton Hot Springs, the 10-MW geothermal power plant will meet the power needs of at least 10,000 households in the state. Nine projects in Colorado received DOE funding, though none of these have been identified as currently in development.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 2 |
|
Mount Princeton Geo |
Mt. Princeton Geothermal |
10 |
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Two power project are under development in Hawaii, potentially adding at least 8 MW to the Big Island's installed geothermal capacity.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 1 |
|
Maui |
Ormat |
TBD |
ARRA Recipient |
Phase 4 |
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Puna |
Ormat |
8 |
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An expansion to the 15.8-MW Raft River plant, which came online in Idaho in January 2008, is currently underway. An additional 11 projects are in development in the state. These projects could increase the state's installed geothermal capacity by up to 676 MW.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 1 |
|
Gray Lakes |
Eureka Green Systems |
100-200 |
|
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Thatcher/South Thatcher |
Eureka Green Systems |
25-50 |
|
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Oakly/North Twin |
Eureka Green Systems |
25-50 |
|
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Twin Falls/Westside |
Eureka Green Systems |
25-50 |
|
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Sulfur Springs |
Idatherm |
25-50 |
|
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Willow Springs |
Idatherm |
100 |
|
Phase 2 |
|
China Cap |
Idatherm |
50-100 |
|
|
Preston Project |
Idatherm, Shoshone |
50 |
|
Phase 3 |
|
Raft River Expansion |
US Geothermal |
13-26 |
ARRA Recipient |
Unconfirmed |
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Newdale |
Standard Steam Trust |
Unspecified |
|
|
Weiser |
Standard Steam Trust |
Unspecified |
|
|
Snake River Plain |
Standard Steam Trust |
Unspecified |
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Louisiana currently hosts two known developing geothermal projects. One is a planned geothermal hydrocarbon co-production (GHCP) unit, and another which is expected to develop geopressured resources at an oil and gas field. The latter project received ARRA funding. These installments could yield 5.3 MW installed capacity for the state when completed.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 1 |
|
Sweetlake Geopressure Project |
Louisiana Geothermal |
5.25 |
ARRA Recipient |
Phase 4 |
|
GHCP (Gas) |
GCGE*, ElectraTherm |
0.05 |
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*Gulf Coast Green Energy
Mississippi's first developing geothermal project is a planned geothermal hydrocarbon co-production (GHCP) unit with an expected capacity of 0.05 MW.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 4 |
|
GHCP (Oil) |
GCGE*, ElectraTherm |
0.05 |
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*Gulf Coast Green Energy
With 86 geothermal projects in development, more projects than any other state, Nevada's installed capacity is projected to increase substantially. Up to 3686.4 MW could be added to Nevada's existing 433.4MW installed geothermal capacity in the coming years. 11 projects identified as in development in the state received ARRA funding.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 1 |
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Beowawe |
Magma |
TBD |
|
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Columbus Marsh |
Magma |
TBD |
|
|
Baltazor Hot Springs |
Magma |
TBD |
|
|
NAS Test Ranges-Fallon |
Navy Geothermal Program |
10-30 |
|
|
Hawthorne Army Depot |
Navy Geothermal Program |
10-30 |
|
|
Black Warrior |
Nevada Geothermal |
55 |
ARRA Recipient |
|
Desert Peak EGS |
Ormat |
TBD |
|
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Brady EGS |
Ormat |
TBD |
FY 08 Recipient |
|
Dixie Meadows |
Ormat |
TBD |
|
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Leach Hot Springs |
Ormat |
TBD |
|
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Smith Creek |
Ormat |
TBD |
|
|
Hawthorne |
Oski Energy |
25-50 |
|
|
Hot Pot Geo |
Oski Energy |
30-50 |
ARRA Recipient |
|
Alligator Geo |
Oski Energy |
20-40 |
|
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Clayton Valley |
Ram Power |
120-200 |
|
|
Delcer Butte |
Ram Power |
30 |
|
|
Gerlach |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
7-15 |
|
|
Salt Wells |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
35-76 |
|
|
Howard |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
19-38 |
|
|
Sulphur |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
12-27 |
|
|
Wells |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
15-32 |
|
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Pearl Hot Springs |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
22-45 |
|
|
Dixey Valley |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
14-31 |
|
|
Dixey Valley North |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
40-90 |
|
|
Hawthorne |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
10-22 |
|
|
North Salt Wells |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
48-101 |
|
|
Spencer |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
9-19 |
|
|
Granite Creek |
US Geothermal |
TBD |
|
|
Lee Allen |
Vulcan |
48-115 |
|
|
New York Canyon |
Vulcan |
27-54 |
|
|
Colado |
Vulcan |
121-232 |
ARRA Recipient |
Phase 2 |
|
Lee Hot Springs |
Earth Power Resources |
32 |
|
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Fireball |
Earth Power Resources |
32 |
|
|
McCoy |
Magma |
80 |
ARRA Recipient |
|
Panther |
Magma |
34 |
|
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Desert Queen |
Magma |
36 |
|
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Dixie Valley |
Magma |
TBD |
|
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Granite Springs |
Magma |
TBD |
|
|
North Valley |
Magma |
TBD |
|
|
Hawthorne Army Depot SW |
Navy Geothermal Program |
12-25 |
|
|
Gabbs Valley |
Ormat |
TBD |
|
|
Dead Horse |
Ormat |
TBD |
|
|
Silver State Geo. |
Oski Energy |
25-50 |
|
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Pyramid Lake |
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe |
TBD |
ARRA Recipient |
|
San Emidio |
US Geothermal |
20-25 |
ARRA Recipient |
|
Gerlach |
US Geothermal |
15-30 |
|
|
Sou Hills |
Montara Energy Ventures |
TBD |
|
|
Truckee |
Raser Technologies |
20 |
|
|
Trail Canyon |
Raser Technologies |
20 |
|
|
Alum |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
33-68 |
ARRA Recipient |
|
Silver Peak |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
15-42 |
ARRA Recipient |
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Reese River |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
26-58 |
|
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Barren Hills |
Sierra Geothermal Power |
46-99 |
|
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Aurora/Green Hills |
Vulcan |
132-350 |
|
Phase 3 |
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Darrough Ranch |
Great American Energy |
21 |
|
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NAS, Fallon-Mainside |
Navy Geothermal Program |
30 |
|
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Blue Mountain |
Nevada Geothermal |
20-30 |
|
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Pumpernickel |
Nevada Geothermal |
15-33 |
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Carson Lake |
Ormat |
20 |
|
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McGinness Hills |
Ormat |
30 |
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Tuscarora |
Ormat |
16-40 |
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San Emidio Repower |
US Geothermal |
8.4 |
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Devil's Canyon |
Raser Technologies |
20 |
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Salt Wells |
Vulcan |
117-245 |
|
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Patua Hot Springs |
Vulcan |
175-378 |
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Phase 4 |
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NV Co-production Project |
ElectraTherm |
.03 |
|
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Jersey Valley |
Ormat |
15 |
|
|
Soda Lake Upgrade and Expansion |
Magma |
12 |
ARRA Recipient |
Unconfirmed |
|
Fish Lake Valley |
Esmeralda Energy |
25 |
|
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Fish Lake II |
Esmeralda Energy |
25-75 |
|
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Emigrant |
Esmeralda Energy |
50 |
|
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Gabbs Valley |
GeoGlobal |
5-60 |
ARRA Recipient |
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Humboldt-Toayaibe* |
Great American Energy |
12 |
|
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Rye Patch |
Presco Energy |
13 |
ARRA Recipient |
|
Marys River |
Standard Steam Trust |
Unspecified |
|
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Marys River SW |
Standard Steam Trust |
Unspecified |
|
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Edwards Creek |
Standard Steam Trust |
Unspecified |
|
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Edwards Creek SW |
Standard Steam Trust |
Unspecified |
|
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Coyote Canyon |
Terra-Gen |
62 |
|
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Dixie Meadows |
Terra-Gen |
62 |
|
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New York Canyon |
Terra-Gen |
62 |
|
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Buffalo Valley |
Magma |
TBD |
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Moping Hills |
Magma |
TBD |
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Quartz Mountain |
Magma |
TBD |
|
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Soda Lake East |
Magma |
TBD |
|
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Upsal Hogback |
Magma |
TBD |
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*Pending Action of Volume II of the PEIS
A planned expansion to the 0.24-MW pilot installation project brought online in 2008 is currently underway. The full project, Lightning Dock, is expected to produce 15 MW. Another 20-MW project is in development, bringing New Mexico's current developing geothermal power capacity to 35 MW. Seven EGS R&D and innovative exploration technology projects in the state received DOE funding, none of which have been identified as being currently in development.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 2 |
|
Lightning Dock II |
Raser Technologies |
20 |
|
Phase 4 |
|
Lightning Dock |
Raser Technologies |
15 |
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Currently, 15 known geothermal projects are in development in Oregon with the potential of providing up to 473 MW to the state's electricity grid. Three projects developing in Oregon received ARRA funding; a handful of other projects not currently identified as being in development also received DOE funding.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 1 |
|
City of Klamath Falls |
City of Klamath Falls |
1 |
ARRA Recipient |
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Glass Butte, Mahogany |
Ormat |
TBD |
ARRA Recipient |
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Glass Butte, Midnight Point |
Ormat |
TBD |
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Olene Gap |
Oski Energy |
25-50 |
|
Phase 2 |
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Glass Buttes |
Magma |
TBD |
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Newberry |
Newberry Geo Holdings |
120 |
|
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Alvord |
Raser Technologies |
20-80 |
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Klamath Falls Plant |
Raser Technologies |
15 |
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Phase 3 |
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Crump Geyser |
Nevada Geothermal |
40-80 |
ARRA Recipient |
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Geoheat Center |
OIT |
1 |
|
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Neal Hot Springs |
US Geothermal |
20-26 |
|
Unconfirmed |
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Williamette* |
Estate of Max Millis |
20 |
|
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Williamette* |
Estate of Max Millis |
30 |
|
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Hood River County* |
Portland General Electric |
20 |
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Hood River County* |
Portland General Electric |
30 |
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* Pending Action of Volume II of the PEIS
Texas' first geothermal project is a planned geothermal hydrocarbon co-production (GHCP) unit expected to produce 0.4 MW geothermal power. DOE awarded funding to 13 recipients in the state for research in areas ranging from EGS R&D to innovative exploration technologies. Texas has a great advantage in drilling for geothermal resources as the state has access to detailed subsurface analyses of heat resources, reservoirs, and deep water availability due to the oil and gas drilling throughout the state.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 1 |
|
Liberty County Co-production |
Universal GeoPower |
0.4 |
ARRA Recipient |
Utah has 21 developing projects that would supply up to 883 MW of electricity. Of seven recipients of DOE funding last year, none of these projects are identified as already under development.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 1 |
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Cove Fort II |
Enel NA |
20-35 |
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Hill Air Force Base |
Navy Geothermal Program |
5-30 |
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Whirlwind Valley |
Ormat |
TBD |
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Drum Mountain |
Ormat |
TBD |
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Drum Mountain |
Raser Technologies |
20-40 |
|
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DeArmand |
Raser Technologies |
20 |
|
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Wood Ranch |
Raser Technologies |
20 |
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Abraham |
Raser Technologies |
20 |
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Pavant |
Raser Technologies |
20 |
|
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Thermo, Greater |
Raser Technologies |
100 |
|
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Falstaff |
Verdi Energy |
40 |
|
Phase 2 |
|
Cove Fort |
Enel NA |
20-65 |
|
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Thermo |
Magma |
20 |
|
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Cove Fort |
Oski Energy |
50-75 |
|
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Cricket |
Raser Technologies |
25-50 |
|
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Thermo, Central |
Raser Technologies |
70-170 |
|
Phase 3 |
|
Renaissance |
Idatherm |
100 |
|
|
Thermo 3 |
Raser Technologies |
26 |
|
|
Thermo 4 |
Raser Technologies |
26 |
|
Phase 4 |
|
Thermo 2 |
Raser Technologies |
26 |
|
Unconfirmed |
|
Drum Mountains |
Standard Steam Trust |
Unspecified |
|
The Mt. Baker project is in the early stages of development in Washington and the expected MW has not been released yet. This would be the state's first geothermal power plant.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Unconfirmed |
|
Mt. Baker |
Vulcan |
TBD |
|
A 0.28 geothermal hydrocarbon co-production (GHCP) unit is expected to be installed in 2010. The state's first GHCP was 0.25 brought online in 2008.
Projects in Development
Phase |
Project Name |
Developer |
Capacity (MW) |
DOE Funding |
Phase 4 |
|
RMOTC Co-production |
RMOTC |
.28 |
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Fora detailed analysis of developing geothermal projects, see GEA's 2010 US Geothermal Power Production and Development Update.
Information updated 6/30/2010
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