OPEN LETTER: EUROPE RISKS MISSING THE GEOTHERMAL REVOLUTION

The authors argue that Europe risks missing a strategic window to lead in geothermal energy due to insufficient political support and financial risks. They claim next-generation geothermal systems could generate 301 TWh of electricity annually in the EU, roughly 42% of current coal- and gas-fired generation. To unlock this, the letter calls for a dedicated EU geothermal de-risking facility for drilling, long-term revenue frameworks like two-way CfDs, streamlined permitting, and the creation of a European Geothermal Industry Alliance.

• Next-generation geothermal systems have the potential to generate 301 TWh of electricity annually within the EU, which represents approximately 42% of the EU's coal- and gas-fired generation.
• Geothermal energy offers strategic benefits beyond power and heat, including the domestic production of critical raw materials like lithium and increased security because systems are distributed and largely underground, making them less vulnerable to attack.
• The primary barriers to scaling geothermal deployment in Europe are not technological, but rather political and financial, specifically the high cost and risk associated with initial drilling, a lack of long-term revenue frameworks, and complex permitting and grid connection processes.
• The authors recommend four specific actions for the European Commission's Geothermal Action Plan: establishing a dedicated de-risking facility for exploration and drilling, implementing bankable revenue frameworks (such as two-way CfDs and clean firm auctions), streamlining permitting via an EU-wide geothermal atlas, and forming a European Geothermal Industry Alliance.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (2026). OPEN LETTER: EUROPE RISKS MISSING THE GEOTHERMAL REVOLUTION. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/10151735/EGEC-CfE-FCA_open-letter_100426.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. OPEN LETTER: EUROPE RISKS MISSING THE GEOTHERMAL REVOLUTION. 2026. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/10151735/EGEC-CfE-FCA_open-letter_100426.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=OPEN LETTER: EUROPE RISKS MISSING THE GEOTHERMAL REVOLUTION |date=10 April 2026 |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/10151735/EGEC-CfE-FCA_open-letter_100426.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{cleanairtaskforce2026open, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{OPEN LETTER: EUROPE RISKS MISSING THE GEOTHERMAL REVOLUTION}}, publisher = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2026}, month = apr, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/10151735/EGEC-CfE-FCA_open-letter_100426.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }