New legislation in Germany is making geothermal electricity a viable option for the first time. A new tariff structure has made deep drilling for higher temperature steam financially feasible, causing a boom in plant construction and a shortage of drilling equipment. Germany could be generating several thousands of megawatts (MW) of electricity from geothermal sources in a couple of decades. More plants are due to go into operation in 2009-2010. This only can mean great news for those who have wanted an expansion in the green energy market.
About 150 geothermal power plant projects are in the pipeline representing an investment of 4 billion Euros, according to the German government. It seems that the warmth of the energy that is emanating from the earth’s interior is finally touching and melting the thick skin of those who failed to see its true potential.
– from cleantechnica.com