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Happy Birthday – International Geothermal Association (IGA)

Happy Birthday – International Geothermal Association (IGA) Participants at the IGA foundation meeting, Castelnuovo V.C., Italy, 2-5 May 1989 (source: IGA)
Alexander Richter 6 Jul 2017

Today, 29 years ago, the International Geothermal Association was officially formed in Auckland, New Zealand. The international representation of the geothermal energy community it plays an important role in the representation of the opportunities offered by geothermal energy around the world.

Well, 29 years might not be the exact round number to celebrate, but why not share this great post published today by the team at the Secretariat of the International Geothermal Association (I am the President of the Association for the 2016-2019 term).

Today, on 6th July 1988 in Auckland, New Zealand the IGA was born! So here a quick overview on how IGA was formed.

The idea to create IGA dates back to 70s, long before it was officially established. It was first discussed at the UN Symposium on Geothermal Energy held in Pisa, 1970. Since that time the possibility of creating International Geothermal Body was further discussed and in January, 1986 the initiative was launched within the U.S. Geothermal Resources Council (GRC), now one of the IGA Affiliates.

A year later geothermal specialists from different countries came together to create the Association Charter of a world association (to be named the International Geothermal Association, IGA). Finally, in 1988 the Association Charter was handed to the New Zealand Dept. of Justice. And that is how the IGA was born!

Today, IGA is celebrating this wonderful day with you! Many thanks for those who have supported the association throughout these years and shared IGA’s mission.

IGA has today more than 5,000 members all over the world and its secretariat is hosted at the University in Bochum, Germany.

It is an absolute pleasure continuing the fine work of all the individuals in the board and as Presidents before.