Geothermal startup Mazama Energy has secured a whopping £101.5m in funding, aiming to tap into super-hot rocks capable of generating up to 15 megawatts of power per well. This move signals a significant shift towards more advanced geothermal technologies, with potential to revolutionise how we power our AI data centres.

Their Oregon site, boasting a revised capacity of 10 gigawatts, showcases the potential of enhanced geothermal systems, which can access heat at depths of up to 15,000 feet where the temperature reaches a scorching 400°C. This ‘supercritical’ state of water can absorb far more energy than ordinary steam, leading to a 10-fold increase in power generation compared to traditional methods.

With its sights set on a 2030 target of generating 200 megawatts and tapping into the vast energy potential of super-hot rocks, Mazama Energy is making significant strides. The round was led by Centaurus Capital and Doerr Capital, with participation from ConocoPhillips, Shell Ventures, and existing investors, including Khosla Ventures and Gates Frontier.

For those questioning the viability of such deep drilling, consider this: just 1% of the world's super-hot rock has the potential to generate over 63 terawatts of electricity. Mazama Energy is certainly betting on a future where the Earth's core powers our digital age.