REM: Sage, Facebook’s Meta announce deal for next-gen geothermal

Sage Geosystems and social media giant Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook, have signed a deal that they say will significantly expand the use of geothermal power in the US. It will be the first use of next-generation geothermal power east of the Rocky Mountains.

This announcement demonstrates the critical role clean, firm and resilient power plays in meeting the electricity demand spurred by the growth and innovation led by the technology sector, said the Texas-based start-up Sage.

The partnership will deliver up to 150 MW of new geothermal baseload power to support Meta’s data centre growth.

Next-generation geothermal is having a renaissance. Conventional geothermal can only be developed where fissures bring heat near the earth’s surface. But next-generation or advanced geothermal, a new technology, involves drilling deep down almost anywhere with oil and gas fracking equipment to where temperatures are high.