Unlocking the value of the world's geothermal resources

Geothermal energy offers the compelling prospect of baseload power generation that operates continuously – regardless of weather conditions, and with negligible fuel costs and greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions

It has the potential to help insulate energy consumers from rising oil prices and the cost of emitting GHGs. For many countries, it could also have strategic value, providing a secure source of energy. But geothermal remains unattractive economically: investors are deterred by the large capital investments and high level of risk. Geothermal projects centre on the exploitation of hydrothermal resources – reservoirs of naturally occurring hot water. Hydrothermal developments have tended to cling to areas of high tectonic activity, where hot-water reservoirs are abundant, naturally productive and, therefore, cheaper to exploit. The countries with the largest installed geothermal capacity – the