While Trump Favours Oil & Gas - This Renewable Source Burns Bright

As the dust settles around President Trumps recent executive order to halt the offshore wind industry, the future still looks bright for the US Renewable Industry!

While the Trump administration’s energy policies largely favoured oil, gas, and coal, geothermal energy emerged as a surprising beneficiary during this period, owing to its unique attributes and alignment with traditional energy practices.

Geothermal energy’s ability to produce reliable, 24/7 electricity positions it as a vital part of the energy mix. Leveraging technology and expertise from the oil and gas sector, geothermal has gained bipartisan support in Congress and received endorsement from industry leaders. It’s a renewable energy source that aligns with traditional energy infrastructure, making it an attractive option for a range of stakeholders.

During the Trump administration, geothermal was included in domestic energy strategies as a means to enhance energy reliability, diversification, and affordability. Industry advocates like Geothermal Rising expressed optimism, citing the administration’s focus on empowering the sector. This renewed support spurred innovation, with geothermal companies adapting oil and gas technologies to harness heat from rocks, unlocking potential for widespread adoption. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that next-generation geothermal projects could provide 90 gigawatts of energy by 2050, enough to power 65 million homes.

The appointment of energy leaders with fossil fuel backgrounds, such as Chris Wright, signalled a strategic push for geothermal. Wright’s advocacy, paired with private investments in companies like Fervo Energy, underscores the growing recognition of geothermal as an abundant and untapped resource. This momentum has driven interest in using geothermal to meet surging electricity demands, support data centres, enhance military energy resilience, and more.

However, geothermal currently accounts for less than 0.5% of the USA's total electricity generation, with significant growth potential concentrated in states like California, Nevada, Utah, Hawaii, and Oregon. Realising this potential will require continued federal support, streamlined permitting, and incentives to drive large-scale adoption and reduce costs.

For professionals and organisations in the renewable energy sector, the USA’s geothermal market represents a growing area of opportunity. As recruitment specialists, we are well-positioned to connect companies with the talent needed to navigate this complex and promising landscape. From engineers and project managers to policy experts and business developers, placing the right talent will be crucial in shaping the future of geothermal energy and achieving its full potential in the years ahead.

The future of the U.S. renewable market is increasingly diverse, and geothermal could indeed define the next decade of energy innovation.