Superhot Rock Geothermal in New Caledonia

The document highlights superhot rock geothermal as an emerging, carbon-free energy source capable of providing firm power globally. In New Caledonia, preliminary modeling suggests that just 1% of the available superhot rock resource could provide 7 GW of energy capacity, generating over 56,497 GWh of electricity. The technology is described as highly energy-dense, requiring approximately 12 km² of land per 1 GW, which is significantly lower than natural gas, solar, offshore wind, or biomass. Additionally, the document argues that such clean firm power reduces the need for excess transmission capacity and backup generation compared to variable renewable sources.

• Preliminary modeling by the Clean Air Task Force and the University of Twente indicates that New Caledonia possesses significant superhot rock resources, where 1% of the resource could provide 7 GW of energy capacity and generate more than 56,497 GWh of electricity, an amount equivalent to 33 million barrels of oil.
• Superhot rock geothermal is characterized as an energy-dense resource with a very low land footprint; producing 1 GW requires roughly 12 km² of land, whereas solar requires 180 km², natural gas 160 km², offshore wind 520 km², and biomass 14,000 km².

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Superhot Rock Geothermal in New Caledonia. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22144948/New-Caledonia-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Superhot Rock Geothermal in New Caledonia. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22144948/New-Caledonia-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Superhot Rock Geothermal in New Caledonia |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22144948/New-Caledonia-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 New Caledonia}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22144948/New-Caledonia-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }