On Wednesday 4 December, the Member States’ ambassadors to the EU validated the conclusions of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council on geothermal energy, with a view to their adoption by the European Energy Ministers at the EU Council meeting on 16 December, which should not give rise to any major opposition.
This document recognises, in a general and consensual manner, the potential of geothermal energy as a source of local renewable energy that can contribute to energy security and affordable energy prices.
In particular, geothermal energy can provide a stable supply for heating and cooling, as well as helping, with exploration, to meet the EU’s demand for lithium and other raw materials, “thereby promoting European mineral sovereignty, while keeping in mind the need to ensure environmental protection”.
The document also acknowledges the regulatory, financial and commercial barriers, the lack of skilled labour and specialist companies, as well as the lack of geological data and high initial investment costs.
The EU27 are expected to call on the European Commission to present a “comprehensive strategy on the decarbonisation of heating and cooling sector”, accompanied by a European action plan for geothermal energy.
This plan will include, among other things, possible guarantee systems to mitigate the risks associated with initial investments, guidelines to speed up and simplify the procedures for granting permits, actions to remedy the lack of skilled labour, to facilitate the sharing of data or to facilitate long-term contracts, such as “renewable heating and cooling purchase agreements”.
The document also calls for the provision of “a structured forum, such as a European Geothermal Alliance” (see EUROPE 13454/4), and for greater cooperation between Member States, in particular to streamline, where necessary, their respective regulatory procedures affecting geothermal energy production and to speed up permit and licensing granting procedures.
The EU27 will also request the following are ensured - the availability and accessibility of geoscientific data, raising of public awareness, strengthening the workforce, research, development and innovation, reinforcement of the EU’s position in the geothermal value chain and international cooperation.
To see the document: https://aeur.eu/f/emz (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)