Among renewable energy sources, one remains largely untapped and underestimated — yet it is the only one capable of delivering clean, continuous, and reliable power, day and night, rain or shine: geothermal energy.

While not evenly distributed, low- to medium-temperature geothermal resources exist beneath much of the Earth’s surface. In Saudi Arabia, this potential is being explored by a bold project at KAUST, led by Professors Thomas Finkbeiner, Martin Mai, and Volker Vahrenkamp.

The KAUST Geothermal Project is more than research — it’s a blueprint for a sustainable future.

Celebrating Earth Day at KAUST

The project will be publicly presented on Tuesday, April 22, during Earth Day celebrations organized by the KAUST Office of Sustainability. Marking the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, this year’s global call is to triple clean electricity generation by 2030.

A panel discussion titled “Development of Geothermal Resources to Support Sustainable Climate Actions in KSA” will be moderated by Professors Finkbeiner and Vahrenkamp, and will feature:

• Jon Johnson – ENOWA/NEOM
• Steve Lemoine – CEO, Dalkia
• Meshary Alayed – CEO, TAQA Geothermal
• Abdulrahman Al-Shuhail – Chief Technologist, EXPEC ARC
• Nouf Abdulghni – Saudi Ministry of Energy

The session underscores growing agreement: geothermal energy must become a strategic pillar in Saudi Arabia’s clean energy transition.

Presenting the Green Campus

The project aims to transform KAUST into a model of sustainable urban development using geothermal energy for low-emission cooling and desalination.

“Geothermal energy operates independently of daily or seasonal variations and is unaffected by weather conditions,” says Vahrenkamp.

With electricity demand in Saudi Arabia projected to reach 120 GW by 2032, and 50% targeted from renewables, geothermal provides a stable base for integrating green power into the grid.

Why Only Now?

Humans have harnessed geothermal energy for centuries — from Roman baths to Boise’s district heating in the 1800s. But only recent technological breakthroughs in drilling and imaging have made wide-scale deployment economically feasible.

“Despite its ancient origins, geothermal energy is still far less widespread than solar or wind,” says Finkbeiner.

The Barriers to Tapping What Lies Beneath

Viable geothermal systems require heat, a fluid (like water or CO₂), and rock permeability — a combination found deep underground in Saudi Arabia.

The KAUST team is analyzing geological data to identify potential sites and aims to produce a national Geothermal Potential Atlas.

“Initial results show many areas are favorable for development,” says Mai. “With KAUST as a pilot, we aim to prove technical and economic feasibility.”

Direct Use: Cooling and Desalination

Beyond power, geothermal heat will be used at KAUST for district cooling and desalination, significantly cutting emissions from oil-powered systems.

“These non-electrical applications are ideal for this region,” says Finkbeiner.

Why KAUST?

KAUST’s compact design — a city of 8,000 residents with homes, labs, and offices — makes it a perfect microcosm for sustainable innovation.

“A geothermal-powered KAUST could serve as a national model,” says Vahrenkamp.

“Geothermal systems are clean, quiet, and efficient,” adds Mai. “They produce zero emissions during operation, and even their lifecycle footprint is lower than solar or gas. Plus, they eliminate noise pollution from traditional AC units — a big win for Saudi Arabia.”

Next Steps

To realize its vision, KAUST seeks to form a consortium with government and industry partners for technical collaboration, funding, and regulatory support.

The first milestone? A geothermal desalination plant to meet a growing share of campus water needs.

“It’s time to think long-term. Geothermal energy isn’t a curiosity anymore — it’s a cornerstone for Saudi Arabia’s sustainable future, and aligns with Vision 2030,” concludes Finkbeiner.