Untapping the potential of geothermal energy to make the energy transition affordable and accessible

​Locally created energy benefits local communities.

Locally produced renewable energy could play a considerable role in building more resilient local communities while making the EU more energy independent, energy secure and contributing to decarbonisation goals. In this regard, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) highlights the largely untapped potential of geothermal energy in Europe, where it only represents 2,8 % of renewable energy sources used.

The opinion drafted by József Ribányi (HU/ECR), Member of Tolna Megye County Council, will be adopted at the plenary session on 17 April. It underlines that locally produced energy like geothermal has direct benefits for local communities and economies that would benefit from an EU-wide strategy and further financial assistance, research and support. Geothermal energy can boost employment especially in rural areas and support the EU's just transition, as it can use decommissioned fossil fuel facilities such as coal mines and provide re-skilling opportunities for workers in oil and gas sectors.

As the production of geothermal energy remains relatively expensive in many cases, the CoR suggests developing and scaling up local geothermal energy production with the provision of suitable public guarantees and financial credit lines for geothermal heating and cooling, and electricity infrastructure development.

Providing more data and disseminating best practices and research findings would also help cities and regions to develop technically and economically viable solutions depending on the various geological and geothermal conditions, which currently remain among the biggest obstacles.

The CoR emphasises the crucial role of citizens participation in decentralising energy production and believes that energy communities represent a chance to establish a sustainable, decentralised and democratic energy transition with the active participation of local and regional authorities. It encourages the establishment of geothermal energy-based heating, cooling and electricity generation as part of renewable energy communities.

Quote:

Rapporteur József Ribányi (HU/ECR), Member of Tolna Megye County Council: "There are incredible opportunities in geothermal energy in terms of ensuring energy security, increasing the share of renewable energy and securing affordable energy prices. In addition, this can result in greater energy independence for local and regional governments. Local and clean geothermal energy can bring direct benefits to local communities and economies, who could greatly benefit from an EU-level strategy."

More information:

According to the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), geothermal energy could satisfy around 25 % of heating and cooling consumption in Europe and around 10 % of electricity. However, geothermal only made up 2,8 % of renewable energy sources used for production of primary energy in the EU in 2021. Source: Geothermal energy in the EU (EPRS briefing).

On 12 April, CoR rapporteur József Ribányi will speak in a conference on Unlocking Geothermal Potential in the EU, organised by the ECR group in the European Parliament, in cooperation with the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) and the Polish Geothermal Society (PSG). It will take place in Poznań and will be hosted by Professor Zdzisław Krasnodębski (PL/ECR), EP rapporteur on geothermal energy. The upcoming Hungarian presidency of the EU Council will also be represented.​​

Contact:

Lauri Ouvinen

Tel: +32 473 536 887

lauri.ouvinen@cor.europa.eu​