Geothermal Utilization Statistics 2019

Abstract

This chapter summarizes statistical data for geothermal energy applications worldwide, for direct utilization and electric power generation, in 2019. The data is based on 2020 World Geothermal Congress (WGC2020) world reports. These reports were based on country update papers received from 88 countries and regions. Another 26 countries were added to the list based on other sources of information. By the end of 2019, worldwide total estimated installed thermal power for direct utilization was 108GWt, and total thermal energy used was 1,020,000TJ/year (284,000GWh/year). Viewed by category, the approximate distribution of thermal energy use was: 58.8% for geothermal (ground-source) heat pumps, 18.0% for bathing and swimming (including balneology), 16.0% for space heating (of which 91.0% is for district heating), 3.5% for greenhouse heating, 1.6% for industrial applications, 1.3% for aquaculture pond and raceway heating, 0.4% for agricultural drying, 0.2% for snow melting and cooling, and 0.2% for miscellaneous other applications. In 2020, geothermal power generation took place in 29 countries, with an installed capacity for geothermal power generation of 16.0GW, wit 95,100GWh/year of energy produced. An increase of about 3.65GW (about 27%) was achieved in the 5-year term 2015–20. Over the 2015–20 period, five countries generated geothermal power for the first time: Belgium (0.8MWe), Chile (48MWe), Croatia (16.5MWe), Honduras (35MWe), and Hungary (3MWe). The power-generation data combine direct-use and electric power generation sources, as they are almost impossible to separate: approximately 2650 wells were drilled in 42 countries; 34,500 person-years of effort were allocated in 59 countries; and 22.3billion US$ were invested in these projects by 53 countries.