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DOE selects 21 geothermal projects for negotiations over more than $99 million
Five projects would test enhanced geothermal systems in the field, while 16 would drill to identify and characterize promising resources across the United States.
The Energy Department published its announcement on September 21, 2026. DOE selected 21 projects across the United States for award negotiations involving more than $99 million, with work divided between field tests and exploration drilling.
Two kinds of field work
Five projects would run field-scale tests of enhanced geothermal systems, or EGS, under real-world conditions. The other 16 would use exploration drilling to identify and characterize promising next-generation geothermal resources and potentially confirm them.
DOE says the combined work is intended to reduce technical and development risk and produce information for future commercial projects and investment. Data from the tests and drilling will be made public through the department’s Geothermal Data Repository, allowing researchers and industry participants to use findings beyond the individual sites.
Selection does not guarantee funding
The announced amount is not a completed award. DOE and the applicants must negotiate before funding is issued, and the department says it may cancel negotiations and withdraw a selection for any reason during that process.
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