From May 2026, the European Commission will start building an EU-level geothermal database to gather detailed geological data and develop geothermal de-risking and insurance schemes to unlock private capital.
The update was highlighted in a recent insight article by law firm Linklaters and marks a significant boost in the promotion of geothermal energy across the continent.
It follows the release of the Commission’s AccelerateEU paper in late April, setting out a response to the energy implications of the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The paper lays out other wide-ranging upcoming initiatives aimed at addressing soaring energy costs and safeguarding Europe’s energy security and competitiveness.
As well as short-term moves to mitigate the impact of the crisis, it highlights structural longer-term measures aimed at reducing dependency on fossil fuels and nurturing European resilience through clean energy, including geothermal, and electrification.
“In parallel, the Commission will continue supporting initiatives on solar thermal, biomethane and hydrogen, including a targeted review of the production criteria for renewable hydrogen, while safeguarding existing investments,” the Linklaters article noted.
The Commission intends to publish, by summer 2026, an Electrification Action Plan including a new electrification target, plus initiatives to increase the uptake of geothermal, biomethane and renewable hydrogen.
It will also includes measures addressing barriers for the electrification of the industrial, transport and building sectors, and the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies.
Announcing its intentions on 22 April, the Commission said that it would support member states and stakeholders “in gathering detailed geological data”, for the creation of an EU-level database.“
The Commission will also explore supporting the establishment of geothermal derisking schemes and insurance schemes together with public financiers, including national promotional banks, to derisk investment and further mobilise private capital,” the statement added.
This could include support for geothermal energy projects beyond the EU’s borders.
“Under the Global Gateway initiative, the Commission is committed to promote, inter alia, international cooperation on geothermal energy projects where relevant.”