Did You Know?
- The definition of geothermal is the "Earth's Heat"
- The world's first geothermal power plant was constructed in 1911 in Larderello, Italy, and continues to generate power to the present day
- When one MWhr of geothermal power displaces one MWhr of coal-fired power, approximately one ton of carbon dioxide emissions is offset.
- Geothermal power plants generate base load power, meaning they operate 24/7
- One MW (equivalent to 1 million watts) can meet the power needs of about 800 homes
- Geothermal energy is used in more than 20 countries to generate electricity, including the USA, Japan, Italy, Indonesia, New Zealand, Mexico, the Philippines, Kenya, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua
- Iceland generates 17% of its electricity and 87% of its heating from geothermal energy
- Presently, the USA produces approximately 3,000 MW of electricity from geothermal sources – equivalent to electricity generated from burning 60 million barrels of oil each year
- Electricity generated by geothermal energy helps conserve non-renewable fossil fuels, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions that pollute our air and water
- 5% of California’s electricity production comes from geothermal energy
- Geothermal energy is a clean, sustainable source for power generation and heat
- Geothermal power plants are immune to fuel price volatility
Canadian Geothermal Energy Association
Geothermal Energy Association
Geothermal Education Office
California Energy Commission
