Group of GEAs found International Geothermal Business Coalition

The co-founding members of the International Geothermal Business Coalition

Alexander Richter 4 May 2011

In an historic accord, the members of several leading national geothermal trade and business associations have joined together to establish an international geothermal business coalition.

The new International Geothermal Business Coalition (www.internationalgeo.org), co-founded by the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), the U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA), the Australian Geothermal Energy Association (AGEA), and the Chilean Geothermal Energy Association, will represent the leading companies in developing geothermal resources to meet energy needs across the world. The groups issued a joint declaration.

“Supporting a range of government policies that can provide support for the development of geothermal resources is our priority,” said Philippe Dumas of the European Geothermal Energy Council. “We will call upon each country to assess the potential of geothermal and develop effective long-term incentives and policy supports for this growing renewable industry.”

Geothermal power presently supplies the world with 10,715 Megawatts of electricity in 24 countries on six continents. The potential to use geothermal resources is much greater. With the technology available today and under development for the future, geothermal resources could supply more than 300,000 Megawatts of power, but producing far fewer carbon emissions than from legacy sources.

The new geothermal coalition will work to expand efforts to utilize these valuable geothermal resources in every nation. With the vast potential that geothermal has to create clean, renewable base-load energy and bring jobs to the nations that embrace it, the coalition leaders will work to ensure that geothermal resources are not ignored in national and international energy plans.

“International and multi-national organizations will also be vital to supporting geothermal resource assessment, technology development, and the development of global policies and financial incentives to expand use of geothermal resources,” said Fernando Allendes, President of the Chilean Geothermal Energy Association, ACHEGEO

“As we see people across the globe clamoring for safe, clean, and renewable power, the geothermal industry can help meet those demands if government policies recognize the potential of geothermal energy,” said Karl Gawell, Executive Director of the U.S. Geothermal Energy Association, GEA.

“It is vital that we ensure funding and support provided to geothermal will be equal to, if not greater than, that provided to support other technologies,” said Susan Jeanes, Chief Executive of the Australian Geothermal Energy Association.

About the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA):

CanGEA is the collective voice of Canada’s geothermal energy industry. As a non-profit industry association, CanGEA represents the interests of our member companies with the primary goal of unlocking the country’s tremendous geothermal energy potential. Geothermal energy can provide competitively priced, renewable, round-the-clock energy to the Canadian and U.S. markets. and be a part of the solution to growing concerns about securing sustainable, cost-effective energy sources. CanGEA promotes the industry and the potential of geothermal energy in Canada through outreach events, research, policy work and representation of Canadian interests internationally.
For more information, please visit www.cangea.ca. Follow CanGEA on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook.

About the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA):

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is a trade association composed of U.S. companies who support the expanded use of geothermal energy and are developing geothermal resources worldwide for electrical power generation and direct-heat uses. GEA advocates for public policies that will promote the development and utilization of geothermal resources, provides a forum for the industry to discuss issues and problems, encourages research and development to improve geothermal technologies, presents industry views to governmental organizations, provides assistance for the export of geothermal goods and services, compiles statistical data about the geothermal industry, and conducts education and outreach projects.
For more information, please visit www.geo-energy.org. Follow GEA on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook.

About the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC):

The “European Geothermal Energy Council” (EGEC) is an international association founded in May 1998. It plays a vital role in geothermal business development in Europe. EGEC is based in the Renewable Energy House in Brussels, Belgium, and unites more than 115 companies and organisations, from 23 European countries, working in the geothermal field in Europe.The main goal of EGEC is to foster market development for geothermal energy, and to work for improvement of business conditions in Europe. EGEC represents all the European geothermal electricity and heating & cooling sector.
For more information, please visit www.egec.org. Follow EGEC on Twitter.

About the Chilean Geothermal Energy Association (ACHEGEO):

ACHEGEO A.G. es una asociación gremial que tiene como misión fomentar la utilización de la energía geotérmica en Chile, a través de promover políticas, investigaciones e iniciativas que favorezcan la exploración y explotación de los recursos geotérmicos disponibles en Chile. Procura el desarrollo de esta energía para el beneficio del país, en armonía con el medio ambiente y velando por los derechos de sus asociados. Recopila, analiza y difunde datos científicos, técnicos y regulatorios, tanto dentro de la comunidad de especialistas, empresarios, estudiantes y el público en general. Entre sus miembros cuenta con empresas concesionarias de proyectos geotérmicos -desarrolladoras y operadoras de estos proyectos-, empresas dedicadas a servicios fundamentales y escasos para la geotermia; y profesionales con experiencia en el área. Todos ellos están procurando activamente desarrollar proyectos de Energía Renovables No Convencionales (ERNC), basados en este tipo de energía en el país.
For more information visit: www.achegeo.cl.

About the Australian Geothermal Energy Association (AGEA):

AGEA is the national industry association representing the Australian geothermal energy industry. Since its establishment in 2007, AGEA has focused on building positive relationships with the Federal and state governments and other major stakeholders to ensure that geothermal energy is promoted as an important and viable solution to Australia’s future energy security and greenhouse gas reduction challenges. AGEA is dedicated to driving initiatives that promote the geothermal industry and its capabilities on behalf of the Australian commercial geothermal entities. To do this, the Association engages with all levels of government, the academic community, relevant scientific organizations, the investment sector and the media. AGEA strives to assist government to develop prudent policy mechanisms that enable all forms of emissions free energy to increasingly penetrate the national energy market. In doing so AGEA highlights and promotes the unique range of national interest benefits that only geothermal energy brings to the nation’s long term energy security and climate change goals. These include its highly competitive low cost predictions, its base-load capability and its low environmental footprint including that it doesn’t produce harmful waste materials that future generations will be required to manage.
For more information visit: www.agea.org.au