Earlier this month TWW had the opportunity to attend the groundbreaking of Fervo Energy's Cape Station Project in Beaver County, UT. Once completed the project will be the largest enhanced geothermal project in the world producing over 400 MW of firm 24/7 renewable electricity.
Cape Station will provide roughly 6,600 jobs during construction and 160 full-time jobs throughout its operations, generating more than $437 million in earned wages. Federal, state, and local officials joined Fervo to celebrate this milestone.
Utah is home to immense geothermal potential. Researchers estimate that the southwest portion of the state contains more than 10 GW of high-quality geothermal reserves. Additionally, Cape Station will benefit from the Department of Energy’s Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE). Over the last six years, FORGE has completed groundbreaking research that has dramatically advanced geothermal development in the region.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox said, “Utah is no stranger to energy leadership. For decades, oil and gas workers in the Uinta Basin have produced energy vital to the growth of not just our state but our nation. Geothermal innovations like those pioneered by Fervo will play a critical role in extending Utah’s energy leadership for generations to come.”
Earlier this year, Fervo announced breakthrough result of its commercial pilot project, Project Red in Winnemucca, NV. Using drilling technology honed in the oil and gas industry, Fervo performed a 30 day well test, the results of which established Project Red as the most productive enhanced geothermal system in history.
“Beaver County, Utah is the perfect place to deploy our next-generation geothermal technology,” said Tim Latimer, Fervo Energy CEO and Co-Founder. “The warmth and hospitality we have experienced from the communities of Milford and Beaver have allowed us to embark on a clean energy journey none of us could have imagined just a few years ago. Thanks to cutting edge research and data collection from FORGE, Fervo can accelerate the production of the region’s geothermal resources.”
Cape Station is now positioned to channel $1.1 billion to supply chains and local businesses, catalyzing critical growth in the county. Fervo is working with experienced oil and gas companies, including Helmerich & Payne, Devon Energy, and Liberty Energy.