In mid-January, news emerged that Geothermal Rising, a U.S.-based organization, acquired the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association. As part of this acquisition, CanGEA will be officially rebranded as Geothermal Rising Canada this year. The decision has been fully supported by the boards of both organizations and CanGEA’s member companies.

I had the opportunity to ask Dr. Bryant Jones, executive director of GR, about the acquisition. He says: “GR is thrilled to build on the momentum that CanGEA and the geothermal industry in Canada have unleashed. Volunteers and geothermal champions such as Alison Thompson, Jeanine Vany, Lisa Mueller, Cathie Hixson, Sharleen Gale, Kirsten Marcia, and so many others are why Canada is exploring its geothermal potential.” 

He adds: “The partnership between CanGEA and GR demonstrates the unity that is needed within the geothermal community to leverage efficiencies and jointly amplify the entire geothermal ecosystem.”

Geothermal Rising Canada will carry forward the vital work initiated by CanGEA. Former CanGEA Managing Director and Chair Alison Thompson expressed pride in the organization’s achievements, noting: “I’m most proud of how we provided opportunities to the next generation of energy workers, often supporting their goals to transition to green energy. We empowered dozens of youth and underrepresented groups via employment and mentorship at CanGEA.” 

For almost two decades, CanGEA has played a significant role in shaping federal and provincial policies to support the geothermal sector, a mission shared by Geothermal Rising. The transition process has been marked by strong collaboration and positive momentum.

Canada’s geothermal industry is rapidly gaining traction, drawing attention from both federal and provincial governments. With the World Geothermal Congress set to take place in Canada in 2026, and Canadian geothermal companies making a strong impression on the global stage, this is an ideal moment for an organization like Geothermal Rising to step in and take the sector to the next level.

Jeanine Vany, GR board member and executive vice president of Eavor Technologies, spoke about how geothermal energy is gaining significant global momentum, with more than $47 billion invested in 2023, supporting 140,000 jobs worldwide. 

“Now more than ever, it’s crucial to unify efforts across the geothermal value chain in Canada and the U.S.,” she shares. “I’m excited to leverage Geothermal Rising’s expertise to scale the impactful policy and regulatory work that CanGEA has led for the past two decades in Canada.”

Through this merger, Geothermal Rising will foster knowledge sharing in Canada, elevate Indigenous voices through the Indigenous Geothermal Symposium, expand the Regional Interest Group initiative, and engage external audiences such as media, investors and policymakers. The organization will also support the efforts of the International Geothermal Association and Geothermal Canada to ensure a successful World Geothermal Congress in Calgary in 2026.

Lisa Mueller, GR board member-elect and CEO of FutEra Energy, Canada’s first geothermal developer to supply electricity to the grid, remarks: “Geothermal energy development is a North American opportunity. A unified body like Geothermal Rising makes perfect sense to represent an industry eager to expand its footprint.”

Needless to say, big things are happening in the realm of geothermal energy worldwide, and we’re witnessing some of the seeds being planted in real time. The transition of CanGEA into becoming a part of the world-renowned Geothermal Rising organization is one step closer to where we want to be.