New country-level resource data gathering and classification effort to streamline geothermal investments and facilitate more projects around the world
Countries can expect a more robust and reliable set of procedures when screening a potential site for setting up geothermal energy projects, thanks to new geothermal resource data gathering and classification efforts being piloted by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the International Geothermal Association (IGA) and the World Bank, with the support of the Global Geothermal Alliance.The specifications of the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) to Geothermal Energy Resources and Reserves provides a harmonised framework to qualify estimates of extractable geothermal energy by projects — taking into account economic viability, technical feasibility and geological confidence — that will help stimulate geothermal investments in countries where it is applied.
To be jointly implemented by IRENA and the IGA, with support from the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program, the project will begin by reviewing and classifying the identified geothermal projects and resource estimates of Flores — an Indonesian island with 14 different geothermal projects, representing significant geothermal development activity.
