Jack Kiruja of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will discuss assessments by IRENA in the Framework of the Global Geothermal Alliance (a multi-stakeholder platform for enhancing dialogue among stakeholders to foster geothermal development) that have identified global trends in the geothermal sector, as well as key factors for the successful development of geothermal.

As a locally available clean energy solution, geothermal energy could play a key role in fostering climate action and driving the achievement of sustainable development goals. It’s a low emission technology that provides stable electricity as well as heating and cooling supply.

The growth in geothermal development has been hindered by several challenges including high upfront capital requirements, high risk profile, and limited technical and institutional expertise in many countries. However, under the right enabling conditions, geothermal energy could thrive and help to address the immediate energy needs of the communities, including for space heating and cooling in building, powering agri-food value chains, and providing industrial process heat.