Nevada is on-track to be producing more than 1000 megawatts (MW) of geothermal power in the next 3-5 years, a level that would meet roughly 25% of the state's total power needs, according to a new report from the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA).

"A combination of federal and state policies have propelled substantial new geothermal power development in Nevada," said Dan Fleischmann, author of "Geothermal Resource Development in Nevada -- 2006." His analysis concludes that this level of geothermal production is due to the state's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS); (2) the extension of the federal production tax credit (PTC) to include geothermal energy; (3) the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) efforts to reduce its leasing backlog; and (4) the Department of Energy's (DOE)support for cost- shared drilling, technical assistance, and the work of the Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy at the University of Nevada Reno. The report identifies up to 29 new geothermal power projects now under development in Nevada and finds that new power plants would produce as much as 853 MW. When completed, these new plants will quadruple the existing 276.4 MW capacity from Nevada's currently operating 15 power plants. With over 1100 MW, Nevada would be generating more power than most of the 25 countries producing geothermal energy today. Only the US and the Philippines produce more. The GEA report, which is available without charge, complements GEA reports issued earlier this year examining geothermal resources in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and Idaho.
The GEA report, which is available without charge, complements GEA reports issued earlier this year examining geothermal resources in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and Idaho.