Geothermal energy: Gulf states can harness untapped underground heat

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and regional neighbours explore low-temperature geothermal potential for cooling, desalination and baseload power, as clean energy transition accelerates

- BY ABDULAZIZ KHATTAK

THE Gulf Cooperation Council nations stand atop a largely unexplored energy resource that could fundamentally reshape their approach to electricity generation, water desalination and cooling, and that is geothermal heat stored deep beneath the desert sands.

While the region has invested heavily in solar photovoltaic installations, recent geological surveys and pilot projects reveal that underground thermal resources may provide the consistent, dispatchable power that intermittent renewables cannot deliver alone.

A 2024 King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) discussion paper suggested that the western region of Saudi Arabia exhibits prominent geological characteristics suggesting substantial geothermal resources.

These resources are characterised predominantly by low-to-medium temperature gradients, except for Jizan and Wadi Al-Lith, where temperature gradients appear appreciably higher.

The Harrat volcanic field comprises over 2,500 dormant volcanoes and craters and a few hot springs. The surface water temperatures recorded in some of these hot springs, on average, are below 80 deg C, with seasonally varying flow rates.

Reservoir temperatures ranging from 100 deg C to 150 deg C may also be found in deep sedimentary basins near the coasts of the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea.

These basins present significant potential for exploiting geothermal energy for large-scale water desalination plants.

According to Project InnerSpace's GeoMap Middle East tool, the initial findings identify urban cooling applications with Gulf States cooling accounting for about 70 per cent of peak electricity demand.

GeoMap shows a potential of approximately 14,000 gigawatts (GW) of cooling with Iran, Egypt, Iraq, and Turkey indicating major opportunities, and Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar following.