Geothermal energy producer Energy Development Corp. (EDC) is exploring options to repurpose its 129 MW Upper Mahiao Power Plant in Kananga, Leyte, after the facility reached the end of its operational lifespan.
PT Barito Renewables Energy Tbk, through its subsidiary Star Energy Geothermal, has completed the retrofit project for Units 4, 5, and 6 of the Salak geothermal power plant.
PT Supreme Energy Muara Laboh (PT SEML), a joint venture between PT Supreme Energy Sumatera, Sumitomo Corporation, and INPEX GEOTHERMAL, LTD., has commenced the development phase of the Muara Laboh Geothermal Power Plant (GPP) Unit 2 in West Sumatra, Indonesia.
H.E President Halla Tómasdóttir of Iceland and President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their commitment to advancing geothermal cooperation this week, stating the renewable source is a cornerstone of future partnership.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has unveiled a pioneering national policy aimed at unlocking India’s geothermal energy potential.
PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk’s Ulubelu Area was selected as a national case study for the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus project, recognised for successfully delivering green electricity through an environmentally friendly system, empowering farmers, boosting the local economy, and preserving the environment.
Project InnerSpace, a nonprofit promoting global geothermal energy, has launched its GeoFund initiative in India with the Tapri Geothermal Cold Storage Project in Himachal Pradesh.
Led by Geotropy, the pilot project uses geothermal energy to power a 500-tonne cold storage and crop drying facility for local apple farmers.
It aims to reduce post-harvest losses, increase farmer incomes, and boost local employment.
Jamie Beard, executive director of Project InnerSpace, said the Tapri project serves as a model for sustainable agriculture and rural development, with similar initiatives planned across the Asia region and beyond — it also represents an endorsement of geothermal energy.
“A widely recognised barrier to the rapid expansion of geothermal energy is the lack of pilot projects to demonstrate impact across different technologies, applications, geologists and geographies globally, where it can be most influential in economic development, energy security and prosperity,” he commented.
“The Tapri pilot project will tackle one of India's most important agricultural challenges, increase revenues and be a global model. We look forward to supporting the Geotropy team in the development of this important project.”
GeoFund was set up to support scalable, high-impact geothermal pilots that traditional financing alternatives may overlook.
With the Tapri pilot project, it is having a direct impact on an industry of vital strategic significance to livelihoods in the area.
The new cold storage facility will provide 500 tonnes of storage and fruit dehydration capacity, helping farmers maintain quality, reduce wastage and sell at premium prices.
The project will also boost local economic growth by creating employment at the local level, reducing crop loss, and generating more predictable revenue sources for farmers and workers.
“This project is more than just a cold storage unit — its purpose is to ensure that our community can develop economically by using its geothermal capacity,” said GeoTropy CEO, Vijay Chauhan.
“Our farmers are already understanding the importance of this work, and now people are waiting to use the facilities available to us.”
PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) has affirmed its strategic move beyond electricity by launching the Ulubelu Green Hydrogen Pilot Project, forming a critical part of the company’s efforts to build and end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem in Indonesia.
The Government of India has officially released the National Policy on Geothermal Energy (2025), reinforcing its dedication to achieving the ambitious 2070 Net Zero Goal while enhancing the country’s energy security through a diversified mix of renewable sources.
PT Sarana Multi Inftastruktur (PT SMI) has signed an agreement with Ormat Geothermal Indonesia to explore the potential financing options for geothermal exploration in Wapsalit, Maluku, and Toka Tindung, North Sulawesi.
GreenFire Energy and TOYO Engineering Corporation have entered into a partnership to deploy advanced geothermal solutions in the Asia Pacific region.
Swedish company Baseload Capital has announced a strategic investment in Japanese geothermal energy developer Furusato Netsuden.
The partnership aims to unlock Japan’s untapped geothermal potential and build a replicable model for sustainable energy development worldwide.
Combining a global investment portfolio with a community-rooted business model, the partnership aims to scale clean, renewable energy, “revitalising local economies while honouring cultural heritage,” a statement by Baseload Capital noted.
“Furusato Netsuden has successfully proven that community-based geothermal development works,” said Alexander Helling, CEO, Baseload Capital.
“Through this first investment, we’re proud and humbled to partner with them in scaling this approach, combining local engagement with sustainable energy development. Together, we aim to help Japan reach its 1.5 GW geothermal goal and strengthen national energy resilience.”
Furusato Netsuden brings deep local roots and operational expertise to the partnership, while Baseload Capital contributes international investment, global reach and the power of committed owners such as Google and Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
Japan has the third largest geothermal potential globally, with an estimated 23 GW, yet its current installed capacity is only 576 MW.
“This represents a major untapped opportunity for a country whose Green Transformation (GX) Strategy aims for net-zero emissions by 2050.,” the statement added.
“Geothermal energy is clean, always-on, and space-efficient. That makes it an ideal solution for a mountainous, densely populated nation with high reliance on energy imports and growing clean-energy demand from AI and data centres.”
The country’s geothermal development has been slow, in part, because there is no common business model that enables communities to share in the benefits, the statement noted.
“However, Furusato Netsuden and its local partners have developed a system to ensure communities benefit directly from geothermal energy.”
In 2011, residents of the Waita area in Oguni Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, formed the limited liability company Waita-kai, which is owned by the community.
In partnership with Furusato Netsuden, they set out to develop geothermal power together in a way that would revitalise the community. The name Furusato Netsuden combines the words for “hometown”, “heat” and “electricity”.
This model protects local land rights, ensures development is carried out on a scale appropriate for the area, and guarantees some of the revenues are re-invested in the community. Furusato Netsuden and Waita-kai regularly hold meetings with residents to share updates on operations, development, and environmental monitoring.In 2015, the 2MW capacity Waita No. 1 geothermal power plant began commercial operation.
Waita No. 2, currently under construction, is expected to deliver 5MW and go online in March 2026.
In addition to the 7MW currently operating or under construction in Waita, the overall portfolio includes a tangible pipeline of projects across Japan that are expected to deliver an additional 30-plus megawatts over the next five to ten years.
“Since 2020, we’ve built a foundation of trust with Baseload Capital, and seen that they are a committed, long-term partner in Japan’s energy transition,” said Kazuyuki Akaishi, Representative Director, Furusato Netsuden.
“Their role as a strategic investor provides financial stability for our current and future projects. They also bring valuable global resources, including technology, business insights and an international network of investors and energy partners.”