Superhot Rock Geothermal in Svalbard

The document highlights the significant superhot rock geothermal resources in Svalbard, noting that just 1% of this resource could provide 97 GW of energy capacity. It argues that this technology offers a land-efficient, firm power alternative to fossil fuels and other renewables, potentially aiding Longyearbyen's goal of reaching zero emissions.

• Preliminary modelling by the Clean Air Task Force and the University of Twente indicates that Svalbard possesses substantial superhot rock resources; specifically, 1% of these resources could provide 97 GW of energy capacity and generate more than 810,170 GWh of electricity, which is equivalent to 476 million barrels of oil.
• Superhot rock geothermal is described as a viable global energy source because it reaches kilometres deeper than traditional geothermal systems and does not require existing underground water sources.
• The technology is highly energy-dense with a low land footprint; producing 1 GW of superhot rock geothermal requires approximately 12 km² of land, which is significantly less than natural gas (160 km²), solar (180 km²), offshore wind (520 km²), or biomass (14,000 km²).
• Implementing superhot rock geothermal in Svalbard could help Longyearbyen achieve zero emissions and improve local air quality by reducing pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Superhot Rock Geothermal in Svalbard. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22145144/Svalbard-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Superhot Rock Geothermal in Svalbard. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22145144/Svalbard-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Superhot Rock Geothermal in Svalbard |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22145144/Svalbard-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendsuperhot, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Superhot Rock Geothermal in Svalbard}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/22145144/Svalbard-SHR-Regional-Assessment.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }