2008 Geothermal Conference/Expo Breaks Previous Records, 2009 Event Announced

Attendance at the Geothermal Energy 2008 Conference and Expo broke previous attendance records, with visitors up 80% over 2007, according to the Geothermal Energy Association. Geothermal Energy 2008 was held in Reno, Nevada, from October 5th through the 8th. According to GEA 1,800 people visited the Expo Hall, up over 800 from the 2007 event.

With a steady increase in number of geothermal projects under development, GEA is looking ahead to an even stronger program next year. “In January 2006, The Western Governors Association’s Geothermal Task Force projected 15,000 MW of geothermal power on-line by 2025; at the current pace, geothermal production could exceed this estimate,” according to Karl Gawell, GEA’s Executive Director.

Congress has extended the federal production tax credit for new geothermal projects through 2010. Together federal tax credits and requirements at the state level for increased renewable power are spurring rapid expansion of the geothermal industry, according to GEA. “Geothermal energy is a bright spot in the economy, and the Expo is the meeting place for everyone interested in this exciting industry,” noted Kathy Kent, GEA’s Marketing and Events Manager.

Over 78 companies exhibited at the 2008 Expo, involving a wide range of companies including developers, drillers, financers, and more. This is a nearly 70% increase from the 50 exhibitors in 2007. To view a complete listing of all exhibitors for 2008, please visit the GEA website at: http://www.geo-energy.org/2008_ts/exhibitors_list.html. Major Expo sponsors were Ormat, UTC Power, Chevron, Glitnir Bank, Geothermal Development Associations, Stoel Rives LLP, Jacobs and Company Securities, Nevada Geothermal Power, Inc., McDonald Carano Wilson LLP, Terra Caliente LLC, Dundee Securities, Vulcan Power, and US Geothermal. In addition to the sponsors, speakers in the Expo hall included representatives from Google, Enel North America, and New Energy Finance.

The 2009 Geothermal Energy Conference and Expo will be held once again in Reno at the Peppermill, October 4–7, 2009. Information about the event will be posted on GEA’s web site at www.geo-energy.org in the near future. Meanwhile, to be added to the exhibitor participant list or to receive priority emails about the event, email Kathy Kent, kathy@geo-energy.org.