Fervo Energy bumps capacity at Beaver Co. geothermal power plant
Fervo Energy has announced that its Cape Station geothermal power generating plant northeast of Milford in Beaver County has increased its capacity from 400 megawatts to 500 megawatts — all of which is now fully contracted.
The announcement comes with word that the final 31 megawatts of generating capacity has been sold in a 15-year power purchase agreement to Shell Energy North America for distribution to its retail power customers.
Shell Energy will become the first “offtaker” of power from Phase 1 of the Cape Station project — deemed to be the world’s largest enhanced geothermal systems development and set to commence operations in 2026. With the agreement, Shell Energy expands its renewable energy portfolio, which already includes wind, solar and battery storage.
Fervo had previously contracted with Southern California Edison and the Clean Power Alliance for purchase of power from the Utah facility.
Fervo said that the increased capacity is due to technological advancements in well design and field development, including increased casing diameter and optimized well spacing using fiber optic sensing, allowing for a 100-megawatt capacity boost without additional drilling.
“We’re thrilled to work with Shell Energy,” said Dawn Owens, Fervo vice president and head of development and commercial markets. “This agreement demonstrates that Fervo is stepping up to meet the moment. As customers seek out 24/7 carbon-free energy, geothermal is clearly an essential part of the solution.”
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced plans to expand geothermal energy on public lands in 2024, including a goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. The Bureau of Land Management approved Fervo’s Cape Station geothermal project as part of that initiative.