Geothermal resources along the Pacific Rim’s “ring of fire” have attracted billions of dollars in foreign investment to Indonesia and the Philippines as these countries develop hundreds of megawatts of power plants that generate electricity with natural steam.

The United States, Philippines and Indonesia rank first through third for installed capacity with 3,086 MW, 1,904 MW and 1,197 MW, respectively.

Japan ranks eighth in the world for installed geothermal capacity with about 540 MW already producing power and third for untapped potential, according to the 2010 Geothermal Congress at Bali, Indonesia.

The current production of geothermal energy from all uses places third among renewables, following hydroelectricity and biomass, and ahead of solar and wind.