Geothermal power showing sustained strong growth through 2016 according to a new report by the US Geothermal Energy Association (GEA). Projects now under development when completed would increase capacity outside the U.S. by 25% according to GEA.

Sacramento, CA (October 13, 2016) - Geothermal power showing sustained strong growth through 2016 according to a new report by the US Geothermal Energy Association (GEA). Projects now under development when completed would increase capacity outside the U.S. by 25% according to GEA.

This report, 2016 International Market Update, builds upon the information released in March by GEA in its US and Global Annual Power Production Report. The new report finds "Between March and September 2016, a total of 44 new geothermal power projects began development throughout 23 countries, adding 1,562.5 MW of developing capacity." This brings the international total of new geothermal power now actively under development to 2,277.5 MW in 23 countries from 72 new projects.

"Developing nations in Central America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific are accelerating their geothermal development through more attractive fiscal incentives and geothermal-specific legislation," according to the GEA report. "The combination of international financial institutions supporting risk-reduction efforts and national policies designed to encourage geothermal development and recognize its value, like geothermal feed-in tariffs, appear to be working to spur geothermal growth," according to Karl Gawell, GEA's Executive Director.

"Several new countries like Croatia, Iran, and Malaysia are penetrating into the geothermal market with pilot projects in the works over the next five years. These countries understand that adding geothermal power to their grid can reduce their dependence on finite energy resources, reduce future economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and benefit the overall health of their environment and the people who inhabit it," noted Anthony Rocco author of the GEA Update.

According to GEA the projects under development represent an investment of roughly $9 billion in new geothermal power. The report includes in its estimate only projects outside the U.S. where a private company, government agency, or contractors associated with the site have announced a power capacity figure. As such, it presents a conservative estimate. Notably, 70 countries have identified geothermal power potential with 26 countries producing power from their geothermal resources now that would increase to 30 when the projects identified come on-line.

Copies of the GEA International Market Update are available at: http://geo-energy.org/reports.aspx.October 23-25 GEA, together with the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) will be hosting the largest annual gathering of geothermal companies and experts in Sacramento, CA. GEA's Trade Show Hall will feature roughly 100 diverse exhibitors spanning the range of geothermal interests - from developers and drillers to environmental services firms and government agencies. New technologies and emerging opportunities in the industry will be on display.

A new exciting feature of the GEA GEOEXPO+ is the industry-tailored Marketing Forum and the organized by the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA). Sessions, led by key players like the IADB, KfW Development Bank and Global Geothermal Alliance, cover everything from development operations in nations with high geothermal potential to Agency Briefing Sessions with the US DOE GTO, USAID, IADB, USTDA, Ex-Im Bank, World Bank-ESMAP, and OPIC. Mark your calendars for the Exhibitors Leading Innovation Session and the topical USEA-East Africa Geothermal Partnership Event.

Included in your GEA GEOEXPO+ pass this year is the first ever Geothermal Agency Match Making Event coordinated by the GEA. In this unique opportunity, company representatives meet one-on-one with representatives from IADB, USTDA, OPIC, Ex-Im Bank and ITA. Meetings will be arranged prior to the event. RSVP to rani@geo-energy.org by Wednesday, October 19th.

Online registration ends Sunday, October 22nd. After this time, only on-site registration will take place. Register today at www.geothermalexpo.org. For more information including questions about registration, the GEA's Marketing Forum, or the Agency Match Making Event, please contact Rani Chatrath at rani@geo-energy.org. To request press credentials, please contact Allie Nelson at allie@geo-energy.org.


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About the Geothermal Energy Association:
The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is a trade association comprised of U.S. companies that support the expanded use of geothermal energy and are developing geothermal resources worldwide for electrical power generation and direct-heat uses. For more information, please visit www.geo-energy.org. Subscribe to GEA's newsletter here. Follow GEA on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook.