Geothermal power producer Fervo Energy has lined up Shell Energy as the first offtaker to receive electrons from the company’s flagship Cape Station geothermal power project being developed in Utah, according to a news release.

Fervo on April 15 said it signed a 15-year power purchase agreement with Shell Energy North America for 31 megawatts (MW) of geothermal power to serve Shell’s retail load customers starting in 2026.

Cape Station is the world’s largest enhanced geothermal system project underway, according to Fervo. The project, which is being developed in phases in Beaver County, will have an annual capacity of 500 MW, an increase from the previously reported 400 MW due to “breakthroughs” in Fervo’s well design and field development strategy, the company said.

“This agreement demonstrates that Fervo is stepping up to meet the moment,” said Dawn Owens, vice president and head of development and commercial markets at Fervo. “As customers seek out 24/7 carbon-free energy, geothermal is clearly an essential part of the solution.”

Fervo utilizes techniques and technology commonly used in the oil and gas sector to harness heat from belowground, transforming it into electricity. The company said it is able to generate more megawatts per well, having increased casing diameter, optimized well spacing using fiber optic sensing and implemented staggered bench development.

Cape Station is now fully contracted with the agreement with Shell. Other companies that have secured agreements for geothermal power from Cape Station include Southern California Edison and Clean Power Alliance, according to the release.

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