Geothermal: Google’s Clean Energy Bet to Decarbonise Taiwan

Geothermal power could meet 15% of global electricity demand growth by 2050, but currently meets less than 1% of demand according to the IEA. 

As technology continues to develop and costs lower, geothermal could offer a solution to growing energy demand without further emissions. 

Google has signed the first corporate PPAs for geothermal energy in Taiwan with developer Baseload Capital. 

This will add 10 MW of “always on” power to the grid and help to catalyse the country’s geothermal market. 

Google’s geothermal PPAs build on its solar commitments in the region, supporting a 1 GW pipeline of solar development in Taiwan in partnership with BlackRock’s Climate Infrastructure business. 

"Taiwan has tremendous untapped geothermal potential, and we’re excited about the role corporate procurement can play to accelerate geothermal projects and bring this 24/7 clean energy resource to Taiwan’s grid,” says Adam Elman, Director of Sustainability EMEA at Google.

Local energy challenges in Taiwan

In 2022, the IEA reports that 34.6% of Taiwan’s energy came from coal and 34.2% from oil.  

The country aimed to reach 20% renewable energy by 2025, but looks to be falling short due to challenges in constructing offshore wind farms. 

Unclear permitting and corporate PPA uncertainties have stalled wind power development, and the country’s mountainous terrain limits solar farm expansion. 

Taiwan aims to have 40% renewable energy by 2030, and changes are needed quickly to meet this goal.

Geothermal energy uses heat from the Earth’s crust to generate electricity.

Most resources are available near tectonic plate boundaries, such as the Pacific Ring of Fire – that Taiwan is located in. 

Unlocking geothermal markets

Taiwan’s geological position gives the country access to substantial geothermal resources that can offer stable and reliable baseload power. 

This could support industries that need constant power, like healthcare, manufacturing or data centres, in the transition to intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar. 

Google’s long-term partnership with Baseload Capital looks to accelerate the deployment of geothermal energy across Asia Pacific and globally. 

Since 2019, Baseload Power Taiwan, a subsidiary of Baseload Capital, has been conducting local geothermal resource exploration and working alongside the government to improve regulatory and permitting frameworks. 

The local workforce and expertise has an opportunity to grow with Google’s support, alongside supply chains and infrastructure to lower costs and speed up deployment. 

These projects will also contribute to Taiwan’s goal to install 6 GW of geothermal capacity by 2050.

“This partnership with Baseload Capital will add crucial ‘always on’ power to our operations in Taiwan,” explains Giorgio Fortunato, Head of Clean Energy and Power, Asia Pacific at Google.

Google’s geothermal progress

Taiwan isn’t Google’s first bet on geothermal power. 

The company aims to operate its data centres and office campuses on 24/7 carbon free energy by 2030, and geothermal could be the answer to backing up intermittent renewables. 

In 2021, Google partnered with clean energy startup Fervo on the world’s first corporate agreement to develop an enhanced geothermal power project.

The project in Nevada, US became operational in 2023 and puts power on the grid that serves its local data centres.

Google has also partnered with Project InnerSpace, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to the global development of geothermal energy. 

"For geothermal to grow over the coming decades, we need big players with global scale and breakthrough technological solutions focused on this massive clean energy resource beneath us," said Project InnerSpace Executive Director, Jamie Beard. 

"By combining the expertise and research portfolio of Project InnerSpace with the technological capabilities and expertise of Google, we are poised to make a fast leap forward for geothermal globally."

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