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
Bakker Oilfield Supply is one of the five outstanding finalists of the Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Awards 2020. Their endorsed project is “Degasser 2.0 rental”.
On 14 January 2020 the European Commission proposed a Just Transition Mechanism to mobilise at least €100 billion (over the period 2021-2027) to support regions most affected by the transition towards the zero-carbon economy.
Geothermal brine can contain lithium. The geothermal industry is therefore able to produce this mineral in a clean way, while also generating renewable heat and electricity for surrounding communities. This is why in February EGEC Geothermal joined the European Battery Alliance.
The Two-day Geothermal event took place in Brussels on 4th and 5th February with more than 60 participants from different European countries.
EGEC is pleased to announce the five endorsed nominations for the Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award 2020.
The Sustainable Europe Investment Plan represents the main investment pillar of the EU Green Deal. It will have to mobilise at least €1 trillion in sustainable investments over the next decade to achieve a climate-neutral economy by 2050. But to do so, as from 2020 only projects consistent with the 2050 targets should benefit.
This 2-days European seminar will take place on 4 & 5 February 2020 in Brussels.
EGEC Geothermal reaction to the launch of the Just Transition Mechanism proposal
On the 17th of December 2019, the European Parliament reached an agreement with the Council on the new criteria to determine whether an economic activity is environmentally sustainable – the so-called the “Taxonomy Regulation”. EGEC welcomes the positive outcome of this legislation, as it will play a crucial role in helping to redirect the necessary funding to investments in sustainable energy sectors.
On 11 December 2019 the European Commission presented the European Green Deal. Europe is aiming to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and the proposed Green Deal outlines the policy framework that will be applied to achieve this goal.
