Evidence report on deep geothermal energy opportunities in the UK released
BGS has published a detailed evidence report that underpins a deep geothermal White Paper.
16/11/2023 By BGS Press
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
Contact the BGS press office:
- email Lucy Bloor (bgspress@bgs.ac.uk)
- phone Lucy on 07745667169
The North East Local Enterprise Partnership is a public, private, and education sector partnership that covers Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland local authority areas.
The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub is a collaboration of six combined authorities and local enterprise partnerships, created by DESNZ to accelerate its partners’ net zero ambitions.
The hub is making net zero happen across the north-east and Yorkshire, developing regional energy strategy, supporting and accelerating the development of local and regional, low and zero carbon heat and energy projects and delivering investment programmes in housing retrofit and public sector decarbonisation. To date, the hub has supported over 100 clean energy and heat projects, saving over a million tonnes of carbon and creating over 1.3 GW of clean, green energy, and upgrading the energy efficiency of over 7000 local homes.
The North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub is part of a national network of five local net zero hubs. Partners are:
- North of Tyne Combined Authority/North East LEP
- North Yorkshire Council
- Hull and East Riding LEP
- West Yorkshire Combined Authority
- Tees Valley Combined Authority
- South Yorkshire Combined Authority
Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of 20 000 designers, advisors and experts working across 140 countries. Founded to strive for humanity and excellence in everything that we do, we collaborate with our clients and partners, using imagination, technology and rigour to shape a better world.
Relative topics
Related news
Kamchatka earthquake highlights the advances in tsunami early warning systems
31/07/2025
The response to the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia has emphasised how far scientific understanding of tsunamis has come over the last two decades, and the improved mitigation measures that are now in place.
New journal article reveals snapshot of forever chemicals in shallow English soils
31/07/2025
Data on the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance concentrations in English soils has been released.
Zambia’s first critical minerals guide supports the country’s potential in global clean energy transition
18/07/2025
A new guide to Zambia’s critical minerals highlights the country’s current and potential critical mineral resources, including cobalt and lithium.
Funding awarded to UK/Canadian critical mineral research projects
08/07/2025
BGS is part of a groundbreaking science partnership aiming to improve critical minerals mining and supply chains.
Release of over 500 Scottish abandoned-mine plans
24/06/2025
The historical plans cover non-coal mines that were abandoned pre-1980 and are available through BGS’s plans viewer.
New collaboration aims to improve availability of real-time hazard impact data
19/06/2025
BGS has signed a memorandum of understanding with FloodTags to collaborate on the use of large language models to improve real-time monitoring of geological hazards and their impacts.
Modern pesticides found in UK rivers could pose risk to aquatic life
17/06/2025
New research shows that modern pesticides used in agriculture and veterinary medicines have been found for the first time in English rivers.
Goldilocks zones: ‘geological super regions’ set to drive annual £40 billion investment in jobs and economic growth
10/06/2025
Eight UK regions identified as ‘just right’ in terms of geological conditions to drive the country’s net zero energy ambitions.
Upgraded web portal improves access to geomagnetism data
02/06/2025
BGS’s geomagnetism portal, which holds data for over 570 observatories across the world, has received a significant update.
BGS digital geology maps: we want your feedback
29/05/2025
BGS is asking for user feedback on its digital geological map datasets to improve data content and delivery.
What is the impact of drought on temperate soils?
22/05/2025
A new BGS review pulls together key information on the impact of drought on temperate soils and the further research needed to fully understand it.
UK Minerals Yearbook 2024 released
21/05/2025
The annual publication provides essential information about the production, consumption and trade of UK minerals up to 2024.