The AI Boom Has an Energy Problem. Geothermal Is the Answer | Opinion
Geothermal could help power AI data centres, but cost, geology and deployment hurdles remain.
The AI boom is facing an energy challenge, and geothermal energy may be the answer. Data centers operate around the clock, seven days a week, with electricity demand increasing by 17% in 2025, outpacing global growth of 3%. The International Energy Agency projects global power demand to grow 3.6% annually through 2030. Meeting this demand requires firm power sources, but relying on gas-fired generation can lead to increased capacity needs and higher costs for consumers.
Two options exist to meet flat, 24/7 demand: nuclear and geothermal. While nuclear energy is coming, geothermal power is here. Geothermal energy is constant and available for millennia. The United States currently has 4 GW of installed geothermal capacity, with DOE estimating at least 300 GW of potential. The current gap is not in resources but in deployment.
The author, a geoscientist and engineer, believes reusing existing oil and gas infrastructure can significantly reduce the cost of introducing geothermal energy. This approach could lower the barrier to geothermal energy and make it a viable option for data centers. The path forward involves educating local governments about geothermal resources, providing data center developers with a greener alternative to gas turbines, and utilizing existing infrastructure to lower deployment costs. If these steps are taken, the AI boom will not become an energy crisis but an energy transition.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
