Geothermal energy is one of the few renewable sources that can deliver firm, around-the-clock electricity and heat. Global capacity is still relatively small compared with wind and solar, but momentum is building—especially for geothermal heating networks and next-generation approaches like enhanced geothermal systems (EGS).
Geothermal Energy Statistics (Top Highlights)
- Global geothermal power capacity: 15.4 GW installed by the end of 2024.
- New geothermal power added in 2024: roughly 0.4 GW (about 400 MW).
- Global geothermal electricity generation: about 99 TWh in 2024.
- Direct-use geothermal heat: about 245 TWh in 2024 (direct use excludes heat pumps).
- Countries generating geothermal electricity: 28 countries in 2024; geothermal power was active in about 35 countries by year-end 2025.
- Performance advantage: global geothermal plants had an average utilisation rate over 75% in 2023 (a proxy for high capacity factors vs. most renewables).
- Geothermal LCOE (global weighted average): around $0.060/kWh in 2024 (vs. $0.055/kWh in 2010).
- 2025 investment surge (global): funding for conventional geothermal power reached nearly $5B, while geothermal heating projects secured over $11.5B.
- Global geothermal power capacity (year-end 2025 estimate): about 17,173 MW.
Global Geothermal Power Capacity
Installed geothermal power capacity increased from roughly 13.0 GW at the end of 2020 to 15.4 GW by the end of 2024. Industry tracking that incorporates plant-level updates and revisions puts global capacity at about 17.173 GW by year-end 2025, reflecting incremental additions plus data corrections.
Global Installed Geothermal Power Capacity (Selected Years)
| Label | Bar | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 13.0 GW | |
| 2024 | 15.4 GW | |
| 2025 | 17.173 GW |
Max = 17.173 GW. Widths: 2020 75.70%, 2024 89.68%, 2025 100.00%.
Top Geothermal Power Countries
Geothermal power remains highly concentrated: the top 10 countries account for over 93% of global installed capacity. The United States leads total installed capacity, while Indonesia has been among the most active in adding new projects and expanding fields.
Top 10 Countries by Installed Geothermal Power Capacity (Year-End 2025)
| Label | Bar | Value |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,953 MW | |
| Indonesia | 2,742 MW | |
| Philippines | 2,034 MW | |
| Türkiye | 1,797 MW | |
| New Zealand | 1,259 MW | |
| Kenya | 980 MW | |
| Mexico | 976 MW | |
| Italy | 916 MW | |
| Iceland | 808 MW | |
| Japan | 607 MW |
Max = 3,953 MW. Widths: United States 100.00%, Indonesia 69.37%, Philippines 51.45%, Türkiye 45.46%, New Zealand 31.85%, Kenya 24.79%, Mexico 24.69%, Italy 23.17%, Iceland 20.44%, Japan 15.36%.
Geothermal Electricity Generation
Global geothermal electricity generation is estimated at about 99 TWh in 2024, up from roughly 97.3 TWh in 2023. Although small in global terms, geothermal power’s value comes from its ability to deliver steady output and grid support as more variable renewables scale.
Global Geothermal Electricity Generation
| Label | Bar | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 97.3 TWh | |
| 2024 | 99.0 TWh |
Max = 99.0 TWh. Widths: 2023 98.28%, 2024 100.00%.
Geothermal Heat and Direct Use
Geothermal’s biggest opportunity is often in heat, not power—especially where cities can develop district heating networks or where industrial sites can use steady thermal energy. Direct-use geothermal heat (excluding heat pumps) is estimated at 245 TWh in 2024, up from about 205 TWh in 2023.
Global Direct-Use Geothermal Heat Supply (Excluding Heat Pumps)
| Label | Bar | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 205 TWh | |
| 2024 | 245 TWh |
Max = 245 TWh. Widths: 2023 83.67%, 2024 100.00%.
Costs and Performance
Geothermal projects are capital-intensive and carry exploration and drilling risk, but operating costs can be low and output is typically steady. A major advantage is high utilisation: the International Energy Agency reports an average global geothermal utilisation rate of over 75% in 2023. On costs, IRENA reports a global weighted-average geothermal LCOE of around $0.060/kWh in 2024.
Investment and Momentum in 2025
Recent policy support and growing demand for firm, low-carbon power have pushed more capital into geothermal. The IEA reports that in 2025, funding for conventional geothermal power projects reached nearly $5B, while geothermal heating projects secured over $11.5B—showing how fast geothermal heat networks are scaling in some markets.
Global Geothermal Project Funding in 2025 (IEA)
| Label | Bar | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Heating projects (2025) | $11.5B+ | |
| Power projects (2025) | ~$5.0B |
Max = $11.5B+. Widths: Heating projects (2025) 100.00%, Power projects (2025) 43.48%.
Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and Long-Run Potential
Traditional geothermal development is constrained by geology, but advanced drilling and reservoir techniques aim to expand where geothermal can work economically. The IEA estimates geothermal could meet up to 15% of global electricity demand growth to 2050, implying up to 800 GW of cost-effective capacity producing nearly 6,000 TWh per year if technology and costs improve substantially.
Sources
- IRENA – Geothermal energy (installed capacity, 2020 vs 2024 capacity context, LCOE) — https://www.irena.org/Energy-Transition/Technology/Geothermal-energy
- REN21 – Renewables 2025 Global Status Report (Geothermal Power and Heat factsheet; 2024 additions, 99 TWh generation, 245 TWh direct heat, number of countries) — https://www.ren21.net/gsr-2025/downloads/pdf/supply/GSR_2025_Factsheet_Supply_Geothermal.pdf
- REN21 – Renewables 2024 Global Status Report module (2023 geothermal generation and direct-use heat) — https://www.ren21.net/gsr-2024/modules/energy_supply/02_market_and_industry_trends/03_geothermal/
- ThinkGeoEnergy – Global Top 10 Geothermal Power Countries at Year-End 2025 (country capacity rankings, global total 17,173 MW, concentration) — https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/global-top-10-geothermal-power-countries-at-year-end-2025/
- IEA – The Future of Geothermal Energy (utilisation rate; long-run potential) — https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-geothermal-energy/executive-summary
- IEA – Commentary: Investment in next-generation geothermal is surging (2025 funding totals for power and heating) — https://www.iea.org/commentaries/investment-in-next-generation-geothermal-is-surging-policies-are-key-to-further-growth
- U.S. EIA – Use of geothermal energy (global geothermal generation context) — https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/geothermal/use-of-geothermal-energy.php
- Reuters – Ormat geothermal PPA for Google/NV Energy (example of rising demand for firm clean power) — https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/ormat-signs-150-mw-geothermal-power-deal-with-nv-energy-supply-google-nevada-2026-02-17/