Dan Jørgensen, the Commissioner-Designate for Energy and Housing, committed to European strategy for geothermal at his confirmation hearing in the European Parliament yesterday, November 5th, 2024. He stressed that “Unfortunately that is an untapped resource” and that it can “definitely play a bigger role” in the heating of buildings. He agreed with the European Parliament’s resolution, which was adopted on 18th January 2024 (2023/2111(INI))1 with near unanimous support, that access to subsurface data; planning; financing; and new business models that address higher upfront costs but maximise very low operational costs over long lifetimes would be covered. Earlier, Krzysztof Bolesta, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment for Poland, stated “Geothermal energy is one of these essential resources in achieving decarbonisation” at the Euroheat & Power Summit in Brussels. Philippe Dumas, Secretary General for the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) stated “Geothermal finally became a key pillar of Europe’s energy transition” whilst Sanjeev Kumar, Head of Policy, added, “Today marks the dawn of the geothermal decade”. Geothermal energy provides baseload electricity, heating and cooling; the cheapest and least land-intensive means of energy storage; as well as the most sustainable means of lithium and mineral extraction. At present, geothermal provides less than 2% of the EU’s final electricity, heating and cooling energy supplies. With a robust policy framework, EGEC’s modelling confirms that geothermal can meet at least 75% of the EU’s heating and cooling demand by 2040, 15% of electricity supplies and 10% of lithium and other minerals in a cost-effective means. Download the Press Release.
Brussels, 21st October 2024 – The European Geothermal Heat Pump Days 2024 successfully concluded its three-day event in Dublin, Ireland, celebrating significant advancements in geothermal HP technology and reinforcing its role in supplying heat, cold and hot water but also thermal storage.
Over 200 stakeholders across the value chain of the geothermal sector, government agencies, municipalities, consumers, academia, researchers, think-tanks and civil society called on the European Commission to prepare a European geothermal energy strategy and action plan. This comes after both the European Parliament and Committee of the Regions voted with almost unanimity in favour of a European strategy on geothermal earlier this year. “A European strategy and action plan are urgently needed to unlock geothermal now,” said Philippe Dumas, Secretary General of the European Geothermal Energy Council. “Geothermal is the glue that delivers a rapid, inclusive and large-scale energy transition” he added. “It’s impossible to ignore geothermal any longer,” he concluded. Geothermal is a major source of renewable heating, cooling, electricity, the lowest cost energy storage as well as the most sustainable means of extracting lithium and other resources. Countries such Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland and Poland have national geothermal roadmaps to support investment and grow their industrial bases. The letter called for: A target of 250 GWs of geothermal energy by 2040 in electricity; heating and cooling (district heating and cooling systems, networked geothermal and standalone geothermal heat pumps); for use in public, residential and commercial buildings; agriculture; electricity generation, transport and manufacturing sectors; Harmonisation and development of new support schemes, including cross-border financial risk guarantees; Endorsement of the Geothermal Industrial Alliance; Accessibility of energy demand and geological data; Skilling workers, municipal network planners and permitting agencies; Strengthening innovation and leadership of the EU domestic manufacturing industry. Download the full letter Download the press release
Geothermal is our energy. It is a unique renewable energy source providing baseload electricity, heating, cooling, storage, as well as lithium and other mineral extraction. It rests reassuringly below our feet, homes, offices and factories everywhere. With the right political visibility and regulatory frameworks it will become the foundation of the cheap, local, inclusive and rapid energy transition.
Brussels, 17th April 2024 – The European Committee of the Regions’ plenary adopted its Opinion entitled “On the role of geothermal in localising energy production”, led by József Ribányi from the European Conservatives & Reformist Group (ECR), with nearly total support.
Brussels, 6th February 2024 – The European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) welcomes the European Commission's Communication on the climate target 2040. However, we are concerned that Communication and modelling do not provide adequate coverage of the requirements for heat decarbonisation and overlook the vital role of geothermal heating, cooling, electricity, storage (thermal and electrical) or sustainable lithium extraction.
Brussels, 18h January 2024 – The European Parliament’s Plenary voted on a resolution, led by Professor Krasnodębski MEP from the European Conservatives & Reformist Group (ECR), to support a European geothermal energy strategy. 531 of the 553 Members of the European Parliament present (96%) voted in favour of the resolution with 20 abstentions and 2 voting against. The resolution calls for: A European strategy for geothermal energy to reduce administrative burdens and aid investments in buildings, industry and agricultural sectors across the Union. A Geothermal Industrial Alliance to fast-track best practices and the effective implementation of legislation. A harmonised financial risk mitigation insurance scheme. Encourage Member States to design national strategies for geothermal like those by the French, German, Polish, Austrian, Croatian and Irish governments. Support regions in transition and coal regions to transition to geothermal. Philippe Dumas, Secretary General of the European Geothermal Energy Council, said, “The European Parliament has put geothermal energy firmly on the EU policy radar. The European Commission cannot ignore such a powerful endorsement”. “We warmly thank the leadership of Professor Krasnodębski, his team, and the shadows on the resolution for their desire to make the energy transition affordable and accessible to everyone,” he added. During the Plenary debate held on 17 January, Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, stated that the consensus among all political groups during the debate before the vote was “remarkable” and added that geothermal district heating “can provide affordable energy to cities” to facilitate mass transition to renewables. On the lack of political visibility for geothermal energy, Professor Krasnodębski MEP confirmed that he was “Delighted this debate and this report are part of this promotion campaign for geothermal”. Pernille Weiss MEP added that we need “A strategy that’s not just about goals but also tools”. Ville Niinistö MEP stated “Future legislation will be a key role in developing this sector and unlocking its potential”. Commenting on the Aarhus geothermal energy project, which will provide for 36,000 homes, Niels Fuglsang MEP commented on geothermal being a resource “that helps us liberate ourselves from our dependency on gas from Putin”. Morten Pedersen MEP said this was “A huge step forward for geothermal energy”. Marina Measure MEP suggested that retraining fossil fuel workers “learn the skills of geothermal energy” would help a just transition for workers as well as communities. Nicolás Gonzalez Casares MEP, rapporteur on the Electricity Market Design legislation, stated “We have to see a greater rollout of geothermal energy”. Hildegard Bentele MEP, rapporteur for the European Strategy of Critical Raw Materials, referred to the importance of the geothermal strategy adopted by the city of Berlin, and added “Having a European strategy would be a very important signal to send” to regulators and investors. Maria Carvalho MEP, rapporteur on the Protection against market manipulation in the wholesale energy market legislation, stated that geothermal was “A very valuable resource’. Beatrice Covassi MEP referred to geothermal as a “Precious source of energy for Europe”. Nicola Danti MEP added that geothermal energy made “Our union safer and richer.” Sean Kelly MEP added, the “Commission must take a leadership role to make geothermal more prominent across Europe”. Franc Bogivič MEP mentioned that a 3rd of the tourism in Slovenia centres on geothermal and that it has a “very brilliant future” Maxette Pirbakas MEP referred to geothermal as a “goldmine”. ENDS…… Full Press Release. About EGEC – European Geothermal Energy Council The European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) is a not-for-profit organisation promoting all aspects of the geothermal industry. Founded in 1998, its objective is to facilitate awareness and expansion of geothermal applications across Europe by shaping policy, improving investment conditions and steering research. It has over 200 members from 30 countries, ranging from developers to equipment manufacturers, energy providers, national associations, consultants, research centres, geological surveys, government agencies, departments and public authorities. This allows EGEC to represent the entire geothermal sector. EGEC is listed in the European Transparency Register No. 11458103335-07 For more information visit www.egec.org.
Geothermal sector supports MEP Blanco Lopez report on the Renewable Energy Directive adopted today and welcomes the high ambition on energy efficiency.
Brussels, 28 November 2017 – One year ago, the European Commission presented the Clean Energy for All Europeans legislative package, but it’s headline target of 27% renewable energy by 2030 fell short of its ambitions.
Renewable Heating & Cooling associations welcome the ambition level and call on the Council to uphold it.
