Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 15, Strataphy, a geothermal cooling startup, has completed several drilling and testing campaigns across western and northwestern Saudi Arabia. These efforts represent a significant advancement in promoting geothermal energy, particularly for cooling and heating, as an efficient and sustainable solution for the region.
Multiple wellbores at the greenfield development site with the testing units.
The campaigns involved drilling over 25 wells, reaching depths of up to 250 meters, and conducting 18 Thermal Response Tests, alongside Open-Loop Geothermal Tests and Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES) assessments. The results highlight the potential of shallow geothermal reservoirs, which demonstrated a Coefficient of Performance exceeding 5.5, surpassing the efficiency of traditional cooling systems. Tests also confirmed favorable thermal conductivity, supporting effective heat transfer for cooling and seasonal energy storage. ATES results indicated an 80/20 cooling-to-heating ratio, well-suited to Saudi Arabia’s climate.
Ahmed Alhani, Strataphy’s COO, stated: “The momentum behind geothermal energy in Saudi Arabia is growing, and Strataphy is proud to be a key enabler of this transition. By integrating cutting-edge technology with deep industry expertise, we are accelerating the deployment of geothermal systems that are both commercially viable and environmentally impactful.”
With Saudi Arabia’s high cooling demands, driven by urbanization and large-scale developments, cooling accounts for 50-70% of electricity use. Conventional air-based systems, reliant on fossil fuels, contribute to significant emissions. Geothermal cooling offers a more efficient alternative, aligning with the country’s sustainability objectives. Strataphy’s work supports these goals by reducing electricity use for cooling by up to 50%, lowering grid expansion costs, enhancing grid stability, cutting emissions, and improving energy security.
Ammar Alali, Strataphy’s CEO, remarked: “Geothermal energy represents a fundamental shift in how we think about sustainable cooling and heating. At Strataphy, we are not just adopting geothermal solutions; we are actively shaping the ecosystem—developing scalable projects that drive efficiency, lower emissions, and redefine energy resilience in the region.”
Building on these findings, Strataphy plans to commission Saudi Arabia’s first industrial-scale geothermal cooling system before the end of 2025. Two additional projects are scheduled for installation in summer 2025, with further commissioning expected soon after. The company aims to install over 15 MW-th of geothermal cooling capacity within three years and 50 MW-th within five years, advancing sustainable cooling adoption.
Strataphy’s proprietary technologies, including advanced wellbore designs, optimize heat exchange and adaptability across diverse geological conditions. Its Cooling as a Service model provides a subscription-based solution, covering design, installation, and maintenance without upfront costs, making geothermal cooling accessible and cost-effective for widespread use in Saudi Arabia.
