Fervo Energy breaks ground on the world’s largest geothermal project in Beaver Co.

Exploration work is underwast at Cape Station near Milford in Beaver County, the location of Fervo Energy's planned 400-megawatt geothermal project.

Fervo Energy, a Houston-based geothermal technology company, has begun an exploration drilling campaign at Cape Station, a Beaver County geothermal energy project that the company expects to deliver 400 megawatts of 24/7 carbon-free electricity. Fervo said the Cape Station will begin delivering power to the grid in 2026 and reach-full scale production in 2028.

Located about 12 miles northeast of Milford, Cape Station will provide roughly 6,600 jobs during construction and 160 full-time jobs throughout its operations, generating more than $437 million in earned wages. Federal, state and local officials joined Fervo leaders at a recent event to celebrate the project launch.

“Today’s event highlights the all-of-government approach to helping usher in a legacy of clean and sustainable energy that will live on far beyond our tenures,” said Laura Daniel Davis, principal deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals management for the U.S. Department of the Interior. “At the Interior Department, we have been moving quickly to meet the goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. The Cape Station geothermal energy project we are celebrating today is an important milestone in our effort to make that goal a reality.”

In February, the Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved the project’s first environmental assessment, issuing a finding of no significant impact pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. This allows Fervo to commence exploration activities at Cape Station site. Across all operations, Fervo maintains a strict commitment to environmental health and safety and robust community engagement, company officials said.

Utah is home to immense geothermal potential, according to historic assessments. Researchers estimate that the southwest portion of the state contains more than 10 gigawatts of high-quality geothermal reserves. Additionally, Cape Station will benefit from the Department of Energy’s Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE). Over the past six years, FORGE has completed groundbreaking research that has dramatically advanced geothermal development in the region.

“Utah is no stranger to energy leadership,” said Gov. Spencer Cox. “For decades, oil and gas workers in the Uinta Basin have produced energy vital to the growth of not just our state but our nation. Geothermal innovations like those pioneered by Fervo will play a critical role in extending Utah’s energy leadership for generations to come.”

Earlier this year, Fervo announced the results of its commercial pilot project, Project Red. Using drilling technology developed in the oil and gas industry, Fervo performed a 30-day well test, the results of which established Project Red as the most productive enhanced geothermal system in history.

“Beaver County is the perfect place to deploy our next-generation geothermal technology,” said Tim Latimer, Fervo Energy CEO and co-founder. “The warmth and hospitality we have experienced from the communities of Milford and Beaver have allowed us to embark on a clean energy journey none of us could have imagined just a few years ago.”

Cape Station is now positioned to channel $1.1 billion to supply chains and local businesses, catalyzing critical growth in the county. Fervo is working with experienced oil and gas companies, including Helmerich & Payne, Devon Energy and Liberty Energy, at the project.

“Fervo’s Cape Station will be a tremendous asset to the Milford Valley, breathing life into the local economy and providing jobs to our hard-working residents,” said Nolan Davis, mayor of Milford.