Open Letter: Europe Risks Missing The Geothermal Revolution

EGEC, in partnership with Cleantech for Europe and Future Cleantech Architects, and with the support of 62 other companies and organisations (including many EGEC members), has sent an open letter to the President of the European Commission (Ursula von der Leyen) and to her colleagues responsible for Energy and Housing (Dan Jørgensen), Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth (Wopke Hoekstra), a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition (Teresa Ribera), Prosperity and Industrial Strategy (Stéphane Séjourné). Our letter has also been shared with the political leaders of the EU Member States and the President of the European Council (António Costa).

“Europe faces yet another grave energy crisis. Still reliant on fossil fuel imports vulnerable to supply disruption, Europe urgently needs to strengthen its energy security and decarbonise, all the while lowering energy prices for citizens and industry, and meeting growing electricity demand. The only way out of this predicament is to rapidly deploy domestic clean electricity and heat.”

In our letter, we urge the European Commission to make the upcoming Geothermal Action Plan (due to be published next month) a real investment catalyst, supported by clear political prioritisation for heat and power generation. This means:

🟥 Announcing a dedicated EU geothermal de-risking facility, with a clear and substantial funding envelope, for early-stage exploration and drilling, including first-of-a-kind projects.

🟨 Setting up bankable long-term revenue frameworks, including two-way contracts for difference (CfDs), clean heat and power auctions, and support for corporate power and heat purchase agreements.

🟩 Accelerating permitting through streamlined procedures, clear guidance to Member States, and strengthened public engagement, alongside the establishment of an EU-wide geothermal atlas for subsurface data to reduce exploration risk and accelerate project development.

🟦 Creating a European Geothermal Industry Alliance to fast-track the scaling-up of the geothermal industry, with a mandate to implement an ambitious action plan and facilitate industrial success.

EGEC, together with the other 64 signatories, stands ready to work with the European Commission to help deliver this opportunity – investing, innovating and building the projects that will underpin Europe’s clean, secure and competitive energy future.

OPEN LETTER: EUROPE RISKS MISSING THE GEOTHERMAL REVOLUTION (PDF)