Geothermal growth in EU

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Series Details Vol.9, No.29, 11.9.03, p36
Publication Date 11/09/2003
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Date: 11/09/03

By Karen Carstens

EUROPE is increasingly harnessing the Earth's heat as a renewable energy resource, according to the latest figures from an EU-backed consortium headed by the Paris-based Observatory of Renewable Energies (Observ'ER).

"Unlike the other renewable energy sectors, geothermal sector growth is on the right track for reaching the [EU renewable energy] White Paper objectives outlined for 2010," the consortium concludes in a geothermal energy barometer report published in August.

Geothermal electricity production, using turbines that are driven by steam heated by the molten magma in the Earth's crust, rose 38% between 1995 and 2002 in the member states. It is projected to meet the EU's official target of 1,000 electric megawatts (MW) by 2010.

Heat production is rising much faster and is projected to be more than 8,000 MW-thermal by 2010, compared with an official EU target of 5,000 MW-thermal.

Globally, North and South America combined are the biggest geothermal giant, followed by Asia and Europe in third place.

Related Links
http://www.observ-er.org/ http://www.observ-er.org/

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