Fervo Energy, a Google-backed enhanced geothermal systems provider, has begun supplying electricity from its Cape Station power plant in Beaver County, Utah, with the first 33 MW unit reaching commercial operation this week. This milestone represents a significant advancement for geothermal technology, which Google has promoted since 2008 as a renewable energy source to power its expanding data centre operations. The deployment demonstrates that EGS can scale commercially to meet growing energy demands from technology companies seeking alternatives to conventional fossil fuels.

Cape Station has the potential to eventually exceed 4 gigawatts of capacity, with Fervo targeting 100 MW online by January 2027 and 500 MW by 2028 to fulfil 900 MW of contracted capacity. The technology operates by drilling two parallel wells approximately 2,438 metres deep and fracturing rock to circulate water heated to 190 degrees Celsius, which generates electricity through turbines—a technique adapted from oil and gas industry methods. Google and other tech firms including Meta are investing in geothermal projects, though analysis suggests the energy currently costs approximately 20 per cent more than conventional generation, potentially limiting wider adoption despite its ability to meet up to 64 per cent of data centre demand by decade's end.