Ormat CEO sees need for stronger voice for geothermal
Isaac Angel, CEO of Ormat at the Opening Session of the GRC Annual Meeting 2015 (source: ThinkGeoEnergy)
Alexander Richter
21 Sep 2015
In his speech today at the Opening Session of the GRC Annual Meeting, Isaac Angel, CEO of Ormat raised his view of the geothermal energy industry needing a stronger voice both domestically in the U.S., but also internationally.
In his presentation today at the Opening of the GRC Annual Meeting, the new CEO of Ormat Technologies, Isaac Angels provided a critical view on the geothermal energy industry.
Talking about the positive elements of geothermal energy as also mentioned by other speakers before him, he made a point to raise some critical points.
He talked about the current problems that the industry faces and particularly mentions the perception.
So while things like new renewable portfolio standards (RPS) in California and Hawaii he sees still some strong barriers to growth.
He described the main challenges domestically in the U.S. in the misperception of geothermal, both on its opportunities, its role, development time and legal framework needs. But also the challenges of the RPS, namely that there low to no RPS in some geothermal states like Utah, Idaho New Mexico, that there is full RPS compliance in states like Nevada and Oregon. Challenging that the industry has not been able to show disciplined prudent development, that there clearly is inconsistent federal support. But he also mentions the abuse of environmental laws by interest groups.
Internationally, he talked about the continued lack of sufficient frameworks that could help stimulate development.
Talking about politicians he raised the main problem of geothermal development, that it takes a long time to develop projects, a challenge in getting the support by politicians that will not be able to reap the benefits of decisions for geothermal. There is a need for long term thinking and that developing geothermal taps into a resource that is available and will exist for the long term. We as an industry need to explain more both on what we have to offer, but also promote the support we need for development. In a comment regarding the U.S., he pointed also out that federal support needs to be long term and be predictable, which it is not at the moment.
He then pointed to his view on that we as an industry need a stronger voice that speaks with one cohesive voice, establishing an industry vision across all borders. He there mentioned the many various and often not cooperating geothermal associations, industry groups and companies.
In the U.S., he sees the need for increased RPS targets, levelling the playing field between all renewables, carve-out for geothermal power, create the business environment to export electricity economically.
Internationally, the necessary framework and support allowing and supporting development is needed.
