Geothermal energy plays a crucial role in the Clean Industrial Deal, and geologists are essential for the characterisation and responsible exploitation of geothermal resources. Their scientific and technical expertise is vital for identifying and developing geothermal reservoirs in a safe, efficient and sustainable manner.
The European Federation of Geologists (EFG) was honoured to participate in a roundtable discussion at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 26 November 2025, convened by Vice-President of the European Parliament Martin Hojsík (Renew Europe), MEP Davor Ivo Stier (EPP), MEP Nicolás González Casares (S&D), MEP Ondřej Krutílek (ECR) and MEP Jan Farský (EPP).
Represented by Executive Director Anita Stein, EFG presented the Geothermal Manifesto developed by its Panel of Experts on Geothermal Energy, led by Janos Szanyi.
In December 2024, energy ministers adopted Council conclusions calling for a Geothermal Action Plan, with Commissioner Jørgensen confirming his support during both his hearing and the TTE Council.
Now is the moment to translate these commitments into concrete action.
We therefore call on the European Commission to publish a dedicated Geothermal Strategy and Action Plan. To unlock the full potential of geothermal energy and strengthen the role of geologists, EFG proposes the following additional measures:
- Launch the Geothermal Industrial Alliance to share best practices and ensure the effective implementation of recently agreed legislation, with geologists playing a central role.
- Introduce targeted geothermal demonstration financing for the manufacturing industry within the EU Innovation Fund and provide incentives for the training and employment of certified professional geologists specialised in geothermal energy. Supporting certified geologists (such as EurGeol) ensures high technical and ethical standards in resource assessment and sustainable use.
- Provide targeted support for developing heating markets (e.g. district heating networks and building renovations) and for the purchase of drilling equipment.
- Establish an EU-wide financial risk guarantee scheme to attract private capital and incentivise investments, actively involving geologists in geological risk assessment. The involvement of professionally certified geologists (such as EurGeol) in evaluating geological risks improves investor confidence and reduces technical uncertainty.
- Develop incentives for disclosing and utilising industrial databases – especially those from the oil industry – for geothermal purposes. Establish a research fund to support research into lesser-known areas of geothermal energy.
- Place renewable heating and cooling on equal footing with electricity, considering that heat comprises nearly half of the EU’s energy consumption.
- Recognise the services provided by geothermal energy, including grid balancing and lithium extraction, ensuring that Power Purchase Agreements and new capacity power auctions adequately remunerate these benefits.
- Overcome permitting bottlenecks through binding timeframes, streamlined processes, and recognition of geothermal energy as an overriding public interest. Moreover, it is essential to accelerate the approval of geological studies and exploratory drilling authorisations.
Similar recommendations were echoed by other sector organisations, and the hosting Members of the European Parliament emphasised their cross-party support for the geothermal sector, noting the immense untapped potential of this local, always-available green resource beneath our feet, and the high importance of subsurface expertise.
As MEP Hojsík highlighted: “Technologies and the energy are available here in Europe. They offer the opportunity to create jobs and resilience for the European Union.”
EFG looks forward to working closely with colleagues across the geothermal sector and with the European Parliament to highlight the essential role of geothermal in the energy transition and industrial decarbonisation.
Geothermal offers Europe far more than renewable heat, cooling and electricity. It can contribute to the supply of critical minerals with a very small environmental footprint and enable large-scale underground energy storage. These are strategic assets for Europe’s competitiveness and energy resilience.
Geologists, with their unique expertise in understanding underground resources are fundamental to achieving this vision.
For more information, please consult the EFG Geothermal Manifesto: https://eurogeologists.eu/go/efg-geothermal-manifesto
