"We are strengthening our position and engagement with international partners in our work highlighting what geothermal energy has to offer in the global energy transition. With the adaptation of our operational model we strengthen the role we play for our members and the wider global geothermal energy community," said IGA president Alexander Richter.

The IGA is moving toward a more sustainable, independent structure that reflects the international nature of the representing body of the global geothermal sector through the association. The aim is to transition IGA to an independent structure and position it for growth by changing its funding model and modus operandi.

Among the changes being made IGA will increase its emphasis on the industry with different corporate membership levels and engagement. At the same time, the association will sharpen its profile towards value proposition for its affiliated members, national associations, and institutions.

The IGA is also taking steps for a deeper engagement with industry on activities and alignment that support and strengthen its scientific and academic roots.

Furthermore, the IGA has decided to change the frequency of the World Geothermal Congress from every five to three years. Following the World Geothermal Congress 2020, which will be held from April 27 to May 1, 2020 in Reykjavik, Iceland, the next congress will take place in 2023. The aim of the decision by IGA is to engage more frequently with its global members and emphasize the importance of promoting geothermal energy and its benefits for other industries.

"In the recent years, the worldwide boom of renewable energy for power production has also seized geothermal. Especially in South-East Asia, Africa and Turkey, the growth rates are impressive. Geothermal for heating has developed exponentially in China and some areas in Europe. Therefore, it is time to increase also the frequency of WGC, the most important platform of the geothermal sector for exchange of ideas, information and technology among practitioners, academics, industry and policymakers from the whole globe," explained Peter Meier, chair of Information Committee, IGA and chief executive of Geo-Energie Suisse AG.