At the World Utilities Congress, fueled by clean energy from EWEC, I had the privilege of presenting our insights on KSA’s potential for geothermal energy. Here are the key takeaways:
Geothermal energy is the quiet, dependable superhero, tirelessly working beneath the Earth’s surface. Unlike solar and wind, which rely on weather, geothermal energy offers over 90% capacity—providing constant, stable energy. This makes it an ideal partner for Saudi Vision 2030 and beyond.
EDF, the global energy leader, is at the forefront of this shift. In France, over 93% of its electricity generation is CO2-free, with emissions six times lower than the EU average.
In 2023, the world’s energy consumption reached 620 exajoules, but beneath the Earth lies an untapped power source—15 billion exajoules of geothermal energy. That’s enough to meet the world’s energy needs many times over.
The Earth’s heat flow, equivalent to 44.2 terawatts-thermal (TWth), holds immense potential. According to the IPCC, geothermal energy could meet 18% of the world’s demand and power 17% of the global population.
To harness geothermal energy, three key elements are needed: heat, permeable rock, and a fluid. Where one element is missing, engineered solutions can bridge the gap.
While countries like the USA, Iceland, and Indonesia have long tapped into geothermal power, the global capacity still approx. 0.5% of world energy. Yet, it remains a reliable resource, producing 16.4 GWe for electricity and 173 GWth for heating and cooling.
In KSA, the Harrat Region is a volcanic hotspot with significant geothermal potential—estimated between 3-5 GW and low-enthalpy geothermal resources in the Eastern province.
KSA's NDC aims to reduce 278 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, where geothermal can play a role, particularly in serving significant loads like HVAC.
Geothermal energy’s versatility is striking. From district cooling projects like those piloted at #KAUST to industrial applications, it offers cost-competitive power at just $0.068/kWh, with minimal environmental impact—only 11.3 grams of CO2 per kWh and low water usage.
The benefits don’t stop at energy. Geothermal technology can enable lithium extraction from geothermal brines, carbon capture, and silica recovery—as seen in successful projects in New Zealand. These opportunities extend into carbon credits, geothermal micro-grids, and synergies with green mining/hydrogen.
Geothermal projects face high upfront costs, subsurface exploration risks, and technological limitations. Policy hurdles and market challenges add complexity. Yet, solutions lie in leveraging +200 y of O&G expertise, advancing drilling technologies, and securing regulatory certainty to drive investment.
On behalf of Bilal Yassine and myself we extend our sincere thanks to the #WUC2024 committees and #EDF teams who supported this work. Special thanks to Prof. Roland Horne for his support in the initial discussions of this work.
I’m excited to speak at the World Utilities Congress 2024 Technical Conference.
I encourage you to register and attend the Technical Conferences to gain insights into the latest industry knowledge and research findings, technical expertise, new project developments, state-of-the-art technologies and industry best practices.
Book your conference delegate place today and join me from 16-18 September 2024 at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi.
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