Unlocking Europe’s geothermal potential

Geothermal energy is increasingly recognised as a strategic pillar of Europe’s clean energy transition, particularly for district heating, industrial heat, and firm renewable power. Yet its deployment has long been constrained by fragmented geological data, high upfront risks, and regulatory complexity.

This online debate centres on the launch of GeoMap Europe, a new continent-wide geothermal mapping platform developed by Project InnerSpace, which integrates millions of subsurface data points into an open, accessible visualisation of Europe’s geothermal resources.

The discussion will examine how GeoMap Europe can help overcome information and risk barriers, support the implementation of EU climate and energy legislation, and accelerate geothermal deployment in line with the European Green Deal and revised Renewable Energy Directive. Speakers will reflect on policy, regulatory, and market implications, including permitting acceleration, heat planning, and the role of geothermal in strengthening Europe’s energy independence.

The session will be of particular interest to policymakers, regulators, researchers, energy system planners, and stakeholders involved in heat decarbonisation and renewable energy deployment.

Programme

14:30 – Welcome and introduction

Andris Piebalgs, FSR

14:35 – Geothermal energy in the EU policy framework

Marianna Jakab, European Commission 

14:50 – GeoMap Europe: data, methodology and policy relevance

Drew Nelson, Project InnerSpace

15:10 – Panel discussion: Regulatory and planning implications

Session focus: Data availability and permitting acceleration, Geothermal and national heat planning, Investment risk, public policy, and system integration

Annamária Nádar, Chair of EU Geo-energy Expert Group

David Bruhn, Fraunhofer IEG

Sanjeev Kumar, European Geothermal Energy Council

15:45 – Audience Q&A

15:55 – Conclusions and closing