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
Interactive exhibition highlighting multi-hazard research opens in Indonesia
01/11/2026
The exhibition, part of a collaborative effort co-led by BGS, invites the public to consider how communities adapt to dynamic landscapes shaped by natural hazards.
New research demonstrates stability of phosphate oxygen isotope in lake sediments
29/10/2026
The discovery could boost research into past environmental conditions, tracking nutrient pollution and examining the impacts of freshwater management.
BGS celebrates half a century in Keyworth
28/10/2026
2026 marks 50 years since BGS, the world’s oldest national geological survey, relocated to the site of our current headquarters, just outside Nottingham.
Forties at 56: the North Sea discovery that’s informing the energy transition five decades later
26/10/2026
Geological samples recovered from the UK’s first giant oil field in the 1970s continue to inform industry and researchers aiming to support the UK’s energy security needs.
New project mapping UK Continental Shelf provides boost to offshore infrastructure and development
22/10/2026
BGS is leading a three-year project funded by The Crown Estate to develop a new suite of seabed geology datasets and reports, providing crucial information for offshore developers about the seabed around the UK.
BGS one of the UK’s first specialist research institutes to receive Race Equality award
20/10/2026
BGS has secured Bronze accreditation under the Advance HE Race Equality Charter framework, recognising its commitment to identifying and addressing race equality issues in the geosciences.
British and French geological surveys strengthen collaboration through new agreement
14/10/2026
Two of Europe’s leading geological surveys have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration on key geoscientific challenges.
Historic watercolour unearthed on back of Dryburgh geological field map
05/10/2026
A 150-year-old painting of Dryburgh Suspension Bridge and the River Tweed offers an insight into the Scottish Borders landmark shortly after it was built in the 1870s.
Professor Alan MacDonald presented with Presidents’ Award at 2026 World Groundwater Congress
21/09/2026
The BGS Head of Groundwater has been recognised with this prestigious award by the International Association of Hydrogeologists for his extensive contributions to groundwater science.
Mystery of one of the earliest recorded space weather impacts solved
17/09/2026
BGS scientists were part of an international team that has solved a 178-year-old mystery surrounding one of the earliest recorded examples of space weather affecting technology.
The Lyell Centre celebrates 10 years of world-leading earth and marine science research
07/09/2026
The Lyell Centre for Earth and Marine Sciences, a strategic partnership between Heriot-Watt University and BGS, is celebrating its 10th anniversary, marking a decade of world-leading research, innovation and collaboration in earth and marine sciences.
Demand for data centres presents challenges and opportunities for UK critical mineral supply chains
02/09/2026
Government-backed research finds that vulnerabilities in raw material supply chains must be addressed to secure the critical minerals needed to expand the UK’s digital infrastructure and boost economic growth.