Khosla-backed Mazama Energy has taken another step forward in its mission to harness the power of super-hot rock geothermal. The California-based startup recently raised $135 million from investors, including Khosla Ventures, a venture capital firm founded by Arihanto "Mike" Khosla.
Mazama's efforts are focused on drilling three miles underground to tap into the highly efficient geothermal reservoirs that lie beneath volcanic regions. According to sources close to the company, one of the wells being drilled is capable of generating 15 megawatts (MW) of electricity 24/7, making it one of the most powerful geothermal power plants in operation today.
While details on how Mazama plans to deploy this technology are still scarce, the startup's CEO has expressed confidence that its drilling efforts will pay off. "We're excited about the potential of super-hot rock geothermal to provide clean and reliable energy," he said. "Our team has been working tirelessly to develop a scalable solution for this industry, and we believe our investment will help us achieve that goal."