Geothermal Analysis Identifies Key European Industrial Sites
A new report highlights thirty industrial clusters in Europe that could transition to geothermal heat sources.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Energy
Live Poll
Should European nations prioritize shifting industrial heating from imported natural gas to domestic geothermal sources?
Project InnerSpace and Future Cleantech Architects identified 30 industrial clusters across 11 European countries as candidates for geothermal heat conversion. This shift could help industries move away from imported natural gas and increase energy reliability.
Why it matters
Utilizing domestic geothermal heat helps protect European industries from volatile energy prices and supply chain shocks. Geothermal power offers a reliable source of continuous heat for processes such as distillation, sterilization, and dehydration.
The analysis indicates that geothermal heat could displace 850 million euros in annual fuel spending and avoid 4.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. The subsurface beneath the EU holds an estimated 18,000 gigawatts-thermal of heat at 100 degrees Celsius or above.
The players
Project InnerSpace
This organization works to accelerate the growth of geothermal energy and aims to remove barriers to the sector by 2030.
Future Cleantech Architects
This entity focuses on advancing clean technologies with a stated goal of closing the gap to net-zero emissions by 2050.
The details
Currently, natural gas supplies approximately half of all industrial heat in the European Union, while the bloc imports about 90 percent of its gas. By integrating geothermal development into national climate plans, member states aim to reduce their vulnerability to the energy price spikes that caused German industrial output to fall by roughly 20 percent in 2022.
Timeline
German industrial output fell by 20 percent in 2022.
The analysis was released on October 28, 2026.
The Big Picture
The analysis aligns with the goals outlined in the National Energy and Climate Plans, providing a strategy for member states to incorporate geothermal energy into their regulatory frameworks. This research marks a shift from broad geothermal potential assessments to identifying specific, ready-for-conversion industrial clusters.
The transition to geothermal heat could provide more stable energy costs for European manufacturing sectors, potentially stabilizing prices for end-user industrial goods. As these clusters convert, the reduced reliance on imported gas may improve overall energy security and reliability across the continent.
The takeaway
Transitioning industrial heat to geothermal sources offers a path to lower carbon emissions and reduced fuel import dependence. Industries can leverage these findings to prioritize energy efficiency and long-term price stability in their operations.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the Energy sector.
Live Poll
Should European nations prioritize shifting industrial heating from imported natural gas to domestic geothermal sources?
