The European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) is calling on policymakers to increase the utilisation of geothermal energy across the continent with a target of at least 250 GW total capacity (including heat, cooling and electricity) across the EU27 group of nations by 2040.
The not-for-profit group outlined its ambitious targets as EU Energy Ministers gathered in Luxembourg to discuss energy security in the continent.
EGEC believes that a geothermal-specific target “must be included” in the Action Plan for Geothermal for the upcoming European Geothermal Stakeholder Partnership, as announced in the framework of the European Commission’s Electrification Action Plan, published in July 2026.
Philippe Dumas, EGEC’s Secretary General, hopes firm targets and potential new rules and regulations can turbocharge investment in geothermal energy projects and facilitate more private capital leverage.
In an EGEC statement, he said the current energy crisis requires new responses that address the challenges of the 21st Century.
He called for geothermal to be at the heart of Europe’s energy security and sovereignty with clean electricity and heating and cooling from home-grown and renewable sources at an affordable price for all consumers.
As such, EGEC proposes that the European Union should aim to increase the utilisation of geothermal energy with a target of at least 250 GW total capacity by 2040.
This would enable geothermal energy to provide more than 1,000 TWh of energy per year, which represents around 20% of the EU’s projected Final Energy Consumption (not including transport) in 2040.
“If the EU wants to achieve energy independence, a strong economy with affordable energy prices, and end our dependence on fossil fuels, then we urgently need to accelerate the deployment of geothermal solutions for heating and cooling as well as electricity generation,” said Dumas.
“Our analysis shows how the member states can increase the combined capacity of installed geothermal systems from 41.4 GW currently to 250 GW by 2040, so that geothermal can cover 20% of the EU’s total energy needs for buildings, industry, agriculture and services. This will also deliver benefits in terms of enhancing Europe’s industrial competitiveness and reducing energy costs for consumers.”