La energía geotérmica se deriva de la desintegración de elementos radiactivos subterráneos traídos a la superficie de la Tierra por el agua o el vapor. Sus usos van desde la calefacción y refrigeración de edificios hasta la generación de electricidad limpia. La energía geotérmica, a diferencia de otros recursos energéticos renovables, no depende de las condiciones climáticas, por lo que está disponible los 365 días del año. También tiene factores de capacidad muy altos y produce emisiones de dióxido de carbono mínimas o nulas. Es relativamente barato, con ahorros de hasta un 80% con respecto a los combustibles fósiles. Su uso para la generación de electricidad generalmente se localiza en áreas cercanas a regiones tectónicamente activas, cubriendo una parte significativa de la electricidad en países como Islandia, Estados Unidos, El Salvador, Nueva Zelanda, Kenia, Indonesia y Filipinas.
Kenya is the leader in the African continent when it comes to geothermal power production. Indeed, it is ranked 8th globally for geothermal power generating capacity. This is due to the high temperature characterizing the Rift Valley: the potential in this sector stands at around 10,000 MW, with the Rift Valley alone estimated to have a potential of 2000 MW, while the current developed capacity reaches, overall, about 777 MW. The Olkaria Geothermal Field is, so far, the site producing the most geothermal power, but the sector has still plenty of potential for expansion. In fact, geothermal power is deemed to be a reliable and cost-effective energy source. Furthermore, a fixed FiT of USD 0.088 per kWhr applies.
The territory of Peru is part of the Ring of Fire of the Pacific Ocean and presents frequent tectonic movements provoking constant seismological and volcanic activity.
According to the Geothermal Master Plan edited by the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Peru in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2012, the Country has a potential of close to 3000 MW, which is the equivalent of the 50% of electricity currently produced in the Country. The geothermal fields with the highest potential are in Cajamarca, La Libertad, el Callejón de Huaylas, Churín, la Zona Central, Cadena Volcánica del Sur, Puno and Cusco.
Geothermal energy is not particularly developed in the country. However, among the targets set in the strategic national documents, small biogas facilities are considered. Kazakhstan should incentivize the penetration of renewable energies, such as geothermic heat pumps and biogas, in housing, street lighting, public utilities, etc., as a partial alternative to the use of coal.
Concerning geothermal energy, Kazakhstan possesses large resources of middle - and low-temperature thermal water. The geothermal field Kaplanbek (near the city of Shymkent) with thermal water temperature of 80°C is used for the heat supply of residential buildings.