Europe

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Geothermal
• Date: 10th June 2026

The European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) has joined a new Europe-wide initiative that will work on digital and energy solutions for data centres.

On 3 June 2026, the European Commission (EC) published a Strategic Roadmap for Digitalisation and AI in the energy sector.

The roadmap aims to accelerate the rollout of digital solutions, including European artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, in important areas relating to the decarbonisation process, such as electricity grid optimisation, energy efficiency in buildings and industry and demand-side flexibility.

It also addresses the increasingly heavy energy consumption of data centres and how they can be more sustainably integrated into the energy system, as well as the need to implement safeguards to mitigate potential challenges linked to the large-scale deployment of AI solutions in the energy sector.

As interest in AI intensifies, and tech companies roll out new data centre infrastructure, the race is on to secure dependable energy supplies in order to meet demand.

In the framework of the roadmap, EGEC reported that it is involved in a new initiative that aims to support collaboration among European industry associations to foster the sustainable integration of data centres in the energy system.

“This will be done through the definition of an EU model for tripartite agreements between data centre operators, energy-related parties and public authorities,” it noted in a statement.

“Based on numerous examples around the world, we can see that geothermal energy is increasingly being utilised by data centre operators,” it added.

The benefits of geothermal solutions include continuous 24/7 electricity generation, highly efficient geothermal cooling solutions and underground thermal energy storage.

“So there is huge potential for geothermal companies to get more involved in meeting the energy needs of data centres,” the EGEC statement added.

Also on 3 June, EGEC participated in a signing event in Brussels, which was hosted by the European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen.

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Geothermal
• Date: 3rd June 2026

Geothermal is increasingly in the spotlight as policymakers and strategists search for solutions to the continent’s energy supply challenges.

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Geothermal
• Date: 28th May 2026

Syntholene Energy Corp. has announced that the construction of its geothermal-integrated synthetic fuel demonstration facility in Húsavík, Iceland, is ahead of schedule, with first operations now penned as early as next month

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Geothermal
• Date: 27th May 2026

The Urban Vibro Truck is a seismic survey vehicle developed specifically for urban environments and one that could play a key role in the evolution of geothermal energy in Europe.

The truck, built by Herrenknecht AG, picked up the Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award 2026 from the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) earlier this year at the European Geothermal Innovation Awards.

These awards recognise companies that make outstanding contributions to advancing geothermal energy in Europe. 

Herrenknecht’s Urban Vibro Truck is a vehicle that is specifically designed for carrying out seismic surveys in towns and cities.

Its significantly reduced noise emissions enable surveys to be carried out during the night while minimising impacts on local residents.

The vehicle also has EU road approval as a tractor, which can reduce permitting requirements for seismic survey activities.

Speaking after the awards, which took place in Germany in February, Daniel Jaskulski, Division Manager – New Applications, Herrenknecht AG, said the vehicle is already working hard collecting data.

“We didn’t just build a nice vehicle that looks good, we have built a very functional vehicle which can make a real difference for the geothermal sector because now we can conduct seismic surveys much faster and also with better quality, and this is the most important thing,” he said.

The first Urban Vibro Truck was built as a scientific test vehicle, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, with additional trucks now in production.

“We already have one truck that can carry out surveys in towns and cities, and our goal is to have 10 of our Urban Vibro Trucks on the market by the end of 2026,” said Jaskulski.

The Ruggero Bertani European Geothermal Innovation Award is given to companies which have made an outstanding contribution towards the field of geothermal energy in the form of innovative products, scientific research or project initiatives.

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Geothermal
• Date: 26th May 2026

French geothermal group Arverne has announced the successful completion of a new major financing step for its subsidiary Lithium de France, alongside its partner Equinor Ventures AS.

The move supports the advance of Lithium de France’s pre-industrial phase, covering drilling activities, the DLE demonstration plant and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), a key component of the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), according to an Arverne statement.

The project targets annual production of 27,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate, to equip nearly 800,000 electric vehicles, while delivering 2.2 TWh of geothermal heat to businesses, farmers and local authorities in Northern Alsace.

The new financing takes the form of a convertible note of up to €33mn, maturing on 30 June 2027, with Arverne and Equinor Ventures AS both participating at their pro rata share.

Upon completion of a qualifying financing of €50mn, the principal amount and accrued and uncapitalised interest will be converted to Lithium de France shares.Pierre Brossollet, Arverne’s founder and CEO of Arverne, said it marks a significant step in the execution of the company’s so-called ‘Dual Flow’ strategic plan and underscores the continued confidence of our long-standing partner Equinor ventures.

“Recognised by the French State as one of the 150 Major Strategic Projects, Lithium de France stands out as one of the most promising industrial developments in geothermal heat and lithium in Europe, combining competitiveness with the energy transition,” he said.

Katherine Peachey, head of Equinor Ventures, said this latest financing reflects the company’s continued support for Lithium de France.

“Equinor Ventures, a shareholder in Lithium de France since 2021, reaffirms its confidence in the company, its management team and its development plans to deliver sustainable, low-carbon lithium and geothermal heat production in Europe.”

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Geothermal
• Date: 14th May 2026

Cindrigo Holdings has secured expanded eligibility for German government support across its geothermal licence portfolio under the Federal Funding for Efficient Heat Networks (BEW) programme administered by BAFA.

• Date: 12th May 2026

Next-generation geothermal solutions in Europe are set to be given a boost with a new collaboration between Tenaris and Green Therma, a Denmark-based developer of closed-loop geothermal systems.

• Date: 7th May 2026

Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL), the UK’s leading developer of geothermal power and critical minerals extraction, has secured £10 million in financing from Dutch Bank ABN AMRO.

The funding will help fund both expansion of lithium production at GEL's United Downs plant and allow for preparation of further sites in Cornwall where the company already has planning permission. The backing of a major bank also enables GEL to start the process of raising significant capital for further expansion in the UK.

The United Downs deep geothermal power plant started power production in February 2026 and is the UK’s first integrated deep geothermal power and commercial-scale lithium production project. The first plant will deliver 3MWe of baseload electricity which is being sold via Octopus Energy to power around 10,000 UK homes.

The geothermal fluid at United Downs contains over 340 parts per million (ppm) of lithium making it one of the highest concentrations found in any well to date in the world. The team at GEL intends to use this financing to expand its direct lithium extraction (DLE) production from 100 tonnes of lithium carbonate per annum to close to 2,000 tonnes per annum by 2028/9. GEL is targeting production of over 18,000 tpa over the next decade from multiple sites in the UK.

GEL is also working on new and larger geothermal power projects across the county, and aims to produce a minimum of 25 MWe of renewable electricity across GEL’s portfolio over the next 10 years. It has further sites in Cornwall which have already received planning permission and are each anticipated to deliver at least 5 MWe of baseload power which is enough to power around 70,000 UK homes. The financing from ABN AMRO will also be used to start preparing these sites for drilling.

GEL has also received funding from Thrive Renewables plc, Kerogen Capital, the European Regional Development Fund and Cornwall Council.

Industry Minister Chris McDonald said: “We need critical minerals for everything, from the phones we use to the cars we drive, and this £10m boost for GEL is not only vital for ramping up domestic lithium production and creating local jobs, but a big step forward for geothermal power production in the UK."

Ryan Law, CEO of GEL, said: “Following the switch on of the UK’s first geothermal power and commercial-scale lithium production last month, this represents a cornerstone financing to help GEL realise our geothermal and critical minerals ambitions in the UK. It is exciting to have a partnership with ABN AMRO, with their experience of financing other European geothermal lithium projects.

“At a time of significant instability in global energy and mineral supplies, it is essential we start to realise the UK potential of 24/7 geothermal power and critical mineral production. GEL now represents a huge opportunity for both investors and government to get involved and help the sector to expand.”

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Geothermal
• Date: 5th May 2026

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.”

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Geothermal
• Date: 29th April 2026

A new study from consulting firm Prognos, commissioned by the German Geothermal Association (BVG), the Bavarian Geothermal Association, and the German Heat Pump Association (BWP), finds that geothermal heat pumps are the most cost competitive solution for heating single-family and multi-family homes.

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Geothermal
• Date: 27th April 2026

Star Energy has signed an agreement for the sale of its Croatian subsidiary IGeoPen to Enna Geo, with the subsidiary holding three Croatian geothermal exploration licenses: Ernestinovo, Sjece and Pcelic.

• Region: Europe
• Topics: Geothermal
• Date: 22nd April 2026

Siemens and Vulcan Energy are collaborating to advance the Lionheart lithium and renewable energy project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley, Europe's first fully integrated lithium and renewable energy project.
Vulcan Energy has also designated Siemens its preferred supplier of automation and digitalisation technology until 2035.

Backed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), Vulcan’s integrated lithium and renewable energy project adapts existing, commercially proven technology to produce battery-quality lithium from geothermal subsurface brine in the Upper Rhine Valley, to deliver a local source of sustainable lithium for the European battery industry, while generating renewable energy and heat for local communities.

Lionheart targets production capacity of 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM), enough for around 500,000 electric vehicle batteries per annum, with a co-product of 275 GWh of renewable power and 560 GWh of heat per annum for local consumers, over an estimated 30-year project life.

Siemens will provide comprehensive automation and digitalisation capabilities through the delievery of end-to-end project solutions from its Xcelerator portfolio – including advanced instrumentation, distributed control systems, digital twin technology, industrial network, IT security and analytics that will enable integrated operations from resource extraction to final production. Siemens will also provide smart infrastructure solutions from across its buildings portfolio. The company is addionally investing in the Lionheart project.

“As both a strategic investor and a key technology partner, we are helping Vulcan Energy establish Europe’s first major sustainable source of lithium,” said Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG. “With our technology – from advanced automation and digitalisation to smart building solutions – we help to ramp-up production faster. This is essential to create a local lithium supply for our energy transition and a more competitive, resilient and sustainable European industry. It is a powerful example of strengthening growth and competitiveness in line with the Made for Germany initiative.”

“This partnership is an important step in unlocking future opportunities for growth, as we progress toward our goal of decarbonising Europe’s battery supply chain,” commented Cris Moreno, Vulcan’s Managing Director and CEO.