Evidence report on deep geothermal energy opportunities in the UK released

A Government White Paper entitled ‘The case for deep geothermal energy — unlocking investment at scale in the UK‘ was commissioned by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub. Written by BGS and Arup in July 2023, it provided an evidence-based assessment of the opportunities and made recommendations for building the deep geothermal sector in the UK.

BGS has subsequently written and released this supplementary evidence report, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), that underpins the White Paper and provides the original outputs from the North East LEP commission as well as additional information, including:

• a review of the international geothermal landscape, including financial incentives, risk sharing and regulation
• a more detailed assessment of UK geothermal prospects, including new data and analyses from recent BGS studies
• potential regional economic and social impacts of geothermal energy and how deployment could contribute to UK policy goals
• an analysis of key challenges within the context of international geothermal experiences
• descriptions of the methodologies adopted in developing the White Paper, including stakeholder engagement, and how evidence was collected, analysed and translated into a set of recommendations

Together, the evidence report and the White Paper highlight opportunities where deep geothermal energy could:

• help the UK meet its net zero objectives
• increase energy supply security
• deliver economic benefits
• create the green jobs of the future

Under the amended UK Climate Change Act, a reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases of at least 80 per cent from 1990 levels is necessary to reach net zero targets by 2050.

Geothermal energy, the energy generated and stored in the form of heat in rocks, groundwater and soils, can provide a unique opportunity to deliver a low-carbon source for heating, cooling and power generation.

This evidence report provides underpinning evidence, background, and data for the White Paper, which highlights the opportunities where deep geothermal energy could help the UK meet its net zero objectives.

Dr Corinna Abesser, BGS Director of Policy and lead author of the report.

Since its publication in July 2023, the White Paper has been updated to include a foreword by Lord Callanan, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, DESNZ.

More information

• White paper calls for acceleration of geothermal energy projects in the UK

Contact the BGS press office:

• email Lucy Bloor (bgspress@bgs.ac.uk)
• phone Lucy on 07745667169