Ember Reports Potential for Increased Geothermal Electricity Production in Europe
According to Ember, advancements in geothermal technology could lead to a substantial increase in electricity production in Europe. Currently, geothermal energy accounts for 99 TWh globally, less than 0.5% of the electricity mix.
By 2030, the global geothermal capacity could grow by 1.5 GW annually, tripling the output from 2024. Europe, with 147 geothermal plants and nearly 3.5 GW of capacity, produced about 20 TWh in 2024. The EU could develop around 43 GW of enhanced geothermal capacity at costs below 100 €/MWh.
Significant potential lies in Hungary (28 GW) and lesser amounts in Poland, Germany, and France (4 GW each). Geothermal could produce 301.3 TWh in the EU by 2025, offsetting coal and gas output. The technology is low-emission and flexible, capable of integrating with renewable sources. However, responsible development is crucial to mitigate induced seismicity risks.
