In its October plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) expressed strong support for the development of geothermal energy, highlighting its low greenhouse gas emissions and potential to facilitate the European Union's transition away from fossil fuels. The committee underscored that geothermal energy can significantly contribute to the EU's decarbonisation goals and enhance energy security.
Despite its potential, geothermal energy remains largely untapped across Europe. The EESC called for the EU to urgently formulate a strategy to leverage geothermal resources effectively. Zsolt Kükedi and Thomas Kattnig, who drafted the committee's opinion, emphasised the importance of assessing the full range of benefits geothermal energy can provide.
“Geothermal energy can make a useful contribution to achieving the EU's 2050 climate neutrality goals,” said Kükedi. “Its potential is unexploited, and the European Commission should move immediately to put together a comprehensive strategy to make use of the resources it provides.”
The EESC pointed out that substantial investment in geothermal power plants is unlikely without national government support and financial incentives to mitigate initial investment risks. The committee also warned that shifts in energy policy or financing could affect the economic feasibility of geothermal projects.
Addressing the risks associated with developing geothermal facilities, the EESC stressed the importance of involving local communities in the planning process to increase public acceptance of geothermal initiatives.
Despite these challenges, the committee argued that the environmental and climate advantages of geothermal energy outweigh the risks. It noted that geothermal energy is one of the most efficient renewable sources in terms of land use, resource efficiency, and reducing dependency on energy imports. Geothermal systems can provide a stable, weather-independent source of heat and electricity, making them an attractive option for energy generation.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has indicated that geothermal energy can help stabilise electricity grids, providing a counterbalance to the challenges posed by the rapid deployment of variable renewable sources.
However, the EESC highlighted that geothermal energy remains underdeveloped in Europe, with insufficient coordination among EU Member States and limited progress in recent years. It also pointed out that a lack of comprehensive statistics and inadequate resource mapping has hindered the assessment of geothermal energy's true potential.
