Fervo Energy has launched the first 33 MW power unit at its Cape Station geothermal plant in Utah. The facility uses an artificial underground reservoir, where water is injected into hot rock formations at depths exceeding two kilometers to generate steam for electricity production.
The company employs drilling techniques adapted from the oil industry to create closed-loop horizontal shafts. Water is heated to over 200 degrees Celsius within these formations before being brought to the surface to drive turbines. This method allows for continuous power generation in regions lacking natural geothermal springs.
Cape Station is currently the largest facility of its kind, with two additional 33 MW units scheduled for completion in 2027. Furthermore, Fervo Energy has secured an agreement with Google to develop an additional 400 MW of geothermal capacity, expected to come online in 2028.
Capital expenditures for the current projects are estimated at $7000 per kW, with costs projected to decrease to $5500 per kW for the second phase. While these costs exceed the $2157 per kW required for natural gas plants, the company highlights the zero-emission nature of its technology.
