The shale drilling methods that resulted in a surge in oil and gas production have also catalyzed the advancement of geothermal energy, which theoretically could offer a reliable power source matching the combined demand of India and the United States, the IEA stated on Friday.

After the release of the Paris-based agency's initial report on geothermal energy, International Energy Administration (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol stated that this source is ideal for supplying the substantial stable energy needed by data centers.

"The new structure of geothermal is very similar to the oil and gas revolution. We see that the new technologies are unlocking the global potential with the so-called horizontal drilling and hydrofracking as used in shale," Birol said.

According to Birol’s statement to Reuters, three-fourths of geothermal global potential is primarily found in the United States, followed by China and then India.

"One of the drivers of this appetite for geothermal energy is the need for electricity for data centers. When you look at the United States, there is a big push for data centers, which want 24/7 electricity, making geothermal a good fit." Unlike renewable supplies from wind and solar, geothermal energy can be a constant power source, but it is in its infancy and the IEA and Birol said it needed government backing and major investment. 

The upcoming Trump administration has indicated it will advocate for expanded oil and gas drilling and intends to reduce green energy programs, yet Birol noted he found no justification for this to prevent greater geothermal utilization.

Geothermal heating could reach up to 800 gigawatts (GW) worldwide, representing 15 percent of global demand increase by 2050, with annual production comparable to the total current demand of the US and India, according to IEA data.

The shale drilling techniques being examined have faced criticism from environmental counsel in the oil and gas industry due to concerns over water pollution and earthquakes.