‘Global Geothermal Alliance’ opgericht

18 december 2015 – Met steun van IRENA is een ‘Global Geothermal Alliance’ (GGA) opgericht, een samenwerkingsverband van tientallen landen (waaronder Nederland), bedrijven en instellingen om de ontwikkeling van geothermische energie te stimuleren.

De alliantie wil wereldwijd in 15 jaar tijd de geïnstalleerde capaciteit voor geothermische energieopwekking vervijfvoudigen en die voor verwarming verdubbelen.
Volgens de International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA is er op dit moment slechts 13 GW aan geothermische capaciteit geïnstalleerd.

Uit een bericht van Renewable Energy World
‘(…) “Geothermal has proven its potential to be part of both the global climate and energy action agenda,” IRENA Director-General Adnan Amin said in a statement. “While geothermal can provide baseload power at some of the lowest costs for any power source, it remains under-developed. The Global Geothermal Alliance will provide a platform for partners to share best practices, further reduce costs and get the most benefit out of this sustainable energy resource.” (…)
The alliance will work to overcome high upfront costs of surface geophysical studies and exploratory drilling by mitigating risks, promoting technological cooperation, coordinating regional and national initiatives, and facilitating geothermal energy investments into energy markets.
Member countries listed in the Joint Communication on the Global Geothermal Alliance are: Burundi, Comoros, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Switzerland, Tanzania, Tonga, Turkey, Uganda, United States, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. (…)’

Uit een persbericht van IRENA
‘(…) Nearly 90 countries have potential for geothermal energy resource development; however, just 13 gigawatts of installed capacity exists worldwide.
A proven technology, the main obstacle for geothermal power investment and development has historically been the high upfront costs of surface geophysical studies and drilling to explore for geothermal resources. But once a geothermal project is in operation, it can generate electricity at a low cost. The Alliance will aim to overcome these barriers by mitigating risks, promoting technological cooperation, coordinating regional and national initiatives and facilitating geothermal energy investments into energy markets. (…)’

Bronnen
Renewable Energy World, 15 december 2015: Global Alliance Launched to Boost Geothermal in Energy Mix
IRENA, persbericht, 8 december 2015: 38 Countries Launch Global Geothermal Alliance
Foto’s: IRENA