Superhot Rock Geothermal in Arizona

The document argues that superhot rock geothermal could be a gamechanger for Arizona's energy sector, providing a carbon-free, firm power source with a very small land footprint. Preliminary modeling suggests that just 1% of Arizona's superhot rock resource could provide 596 GW of energy capacity, which is 58 times the state's 2023 electricity consumption. The technology is described as more versatile than traditional geothermal because it does not require natural underground water sources. Additionally, the document notes that Arizona's existing oil and gas workforce possesses subsurface expertise that could facilitate a transition to this zero-carbon energy production.

• Preliminary modeling indicates that Arizona possesses significant superhot rock resources; specifically, 1% of this resource could provide 596 GW of energy capacity and generate over 4,958,290 GWh of electricity.
• The energy potential of 1% of Arizona's superhot rock geothermal endowment is estimated to be 58 times the state's 2023 electricity consumption of 85,919 GWh, or equivalent to 2.9 billion barrels of oil.
• Superhot rock geothermal is characterized by high energy density and low land requirements, requiring approximately 12 sq mi of land per 1 GW, which is significantly less than natural gas (160 sq mi), solar (180 sq mi), offshore wind (520 sq mi), and biomass (14,000 sq mi).
• Unlike traditional geothermal systems that require natural hot water near the surface, superhot rock systems reach miles deeper and do not need underground water sources, making them viable globally.
• The transition to superhot rock geothermal could leverage Arizona's position as one of the largest US natural gas producers by utilizing the existing subsurface expertise and assets of the oil and gas sector.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Superhot Rock Geothermal in Arizona. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22150137/Arizona-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Superhot Rock Geothermal in Arizona. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22150137/Arizona-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Superhot Rock Geothermal in Arizona |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22150137/Arizona-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendsuperhot, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Superhot Rock Geothermal in Arizona}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22150137/Arizona-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }