Following on from the European Union’s commitments to phase out energy imports from Russia, make energy affordable, boost industrial competitiveness, improve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) insists that the European Commission must present an investment-orientated strategy and action plan to accelerate the deployment of all geothermal energy solutions. EGEC calls on the European Commission to publish a dedicated European Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan in the first quarter of 2026. This echoes requests made by EU Energy Ministers (see the TTE Council Conclusions of 16 December 2024) and also by the European Parliament (Resolution on geothermal energy, adopted on 18 January 2024). Indeed, the European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, has already confirmed (on 14 March 2025) that the Commission will present "an action plan on geothermal energy" before the end of March 2026. According to EGEC, the Commission’s proposal must include the following elements: An EU-wide target to reach 250 GW of geothermal capacity by 2040 covering all technologies. This will build on the 44 GW of installed capacity in the EU. A European Geothermal Charter, which codifies the 2040 target and launches the Geothermal Industrial Alliance to manage its delivery. Targeted European financial instruments to leverage private capital. Measures to make permitting processes more efficient and faster, as well as improving access to geological data. Sectoral or tripartite agreements with key energy consumers. Peer-to-peer guidance to help governments develop national and regional roadmaps to remove barriers, accelerate investments and build local supply chains. European instruments to support value chain development in local manufacturing and skilled professionals. The inclusion of geothermal energy as a central pillar of the EU’s Global Gateway and the Global Energy Transition Forum. Improvements to the collection and presentation of market data and statistics to enable better energy modelling. EGEC’s proposals are set out in a new policy document:The European Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan - Making Europe competitive, secure and affordable Watch EGEC's webinar on the launch of its recommendations for the EU Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxUUaWHfuM8
EGEC Geothermal’s reaction to the Renovation Wave & Commission Recommendation on energy poverty.
Europe is the first continent that has decided to go carbon-neutral by 2050. Developing all renewable energy sources is an essential path to reach this objective.
EGEC Geothermal writes to Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager to ask for a full review of the impact of the competitive distortion of the Internal Market for Gas legal base.
Ahead of the State of the Union, EGEC advocates for putting a price on carbon emissions in heating and cooling.
The Geothermal Panel of the RHC ETIP platform released today the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA).
While geothermal is typically associated with its ability to provide clean energy for electricity and heating & cooling, did you know that it also contributes to local development and sustainable tourism?
This is the first in a series of annual perspectives on the orientation and effectiveness of EU energy and climate policy.
EGEC reaction to the release of the Energy System Integration
EGEC, together with 62 leading renewable energy, local government and civil society associations wrote to MEPs asking for the removal of fossil gas from the Just Transition Fund vote, which takes place on Monday 6th July.
With agriculture being one of the largest and most essential sectors in the EU, and globally, the use of geothermal energy can provide solutions for energy, climate, and food security.
