# Quaise wins up to $25 million from the US Department of Energy for its Oregon superhot geothermal project

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/stories/quaise-wins-up-to-25-million-from-the-us-department-of-energy-for-its-895a37b6
Date: 8 Oct 2026
About: [Quaise Energy](https://technooptimist.io/companies/quaise-energy.md)
Original source: https://www.quaise.com/news/quaise-energy-makes-news-at-us-geothermal-conference-with-announcement-of-up-to-25-million-us-funding-talk-on-companys-progress-to-date-and-awards-to-two-employees

The US Department of Energy selected Quaise Energy as one of five entities for an award of up to $25 million. The money supports Project Obsidian in Oregon, which Quaise says will be the world's first commercial superhot geothermal power plant; drilling of the first confirmation well began in July 2026.

## Key facts

- The first confirmation well is about 15,000 feet deep and reaches rock up to 750°F (about 400°C).
- Phase One plans seven wells expected to deliver more than 50 megawatts to the grid by 2030.
- The article does not name the DOE program that funds the award.
- About a month before the Geothermal Rising conference, Quaise closed a $180 million Series B led by Nabors Industries and Prelude Ventures.

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