Geothermal has the potential to unlock vast amounts of cheap, reliable, and clean energy, and to become a significant contributor to the UK’s energy security and net zero goals
LONDON, March 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Project InnerSpace, an independent, not-for-profit organisation committed to eliminating the major barriers to scaled development of geothermal energy, launched today a new effort to catalyse development of geothermal heat and power in the UK.
The UK could cost-effectively meet nearly a third of its current electricity demand with clean, firm geothermal energy, and a significant share of its heating demand, an initial analysis of data from Project InnerSpace’s GeoMap™ shows. In the future, with the proper policies and investments, geothermal power could grow to meet almost twice the current electricity consumption in the UK, and nearly all of its heat, the data show.
Currently, the UK could cost-effectively meet nearly a third of its current electricity demand with clean, firm geothermal energy, and a significant share of its heating demand, an initial analysis of data from Project InnerSpace’s GeoMap™ shows. In the future, with the proper policies and investments, geothermal power could grow to meet almost twice the current electricity consumption in the UK, and nearly all of its heat, the data show.
An inaugural convening of industry leaders, policy-makers and subject matter experts was held today in London to explore a path toward scaling geothermal energy development in the UK. The convening kicked off InnerSpace’s work to support the UK geothermal ecosystem, which also includes the publication of a comprehensive geothermal report and roadmap. This report, entitled “The Future of Geothermal in the United Kingdom,” will leverage UK based subject matter experts and expertise to examine the UK’s total geothermal potential across all applications and technological concepts, and offer recommendations for overcoming investment barriers, adopting policies that encourage geothermal development, and implementing practical strategies to move the industry forward. The report, supported by the Quadrature Climate Foundation through a grant to Project InnerSpace, will be published in the fourth quarter of 2025.
“Next-generation geothermal has the potential to unlock vast amounts of cheap, reliable, and clean energy – a welcome contribution to the UK’s energy security. Quadrature Climate Foundation is delighted to support Project InnerSpace’s work to better understand the UK’s capacity for geothermal energy and ways to unlock its potential through smart policies and actions,” Greg De Temmerman, Deputy CEO and Chief Science Officer, Quadrature Climate Foundation. “The UK is already home to a high-calibre ecosystem of geoscience researchers and boasts a history of academic excellence in geothermal energy, making InnerSpace’s work a truly exciting initiative to support.”
“To harness the massive potential of geothermal energy, we need open dialogue and shared vision for what we can build together,” said Jamie Beard, Executive Director of Project InnerSpace. “Focusing resources and effort on geothermal is an investment in the UK’s future – from tackling climate change, reducing energy prices, and ensuring energy security, to empowering communities to drive sustainable growth across the UK. We are excited to support this powerhouse ecosystem as it works to turn potential into action.”
A report in January by the International Energy Agency on the future of geothermal energy concluded that next-generation geothermal technologies have the “technical potential to meet global electricity and heat demand 140 times over” at costs by 2035 that would make geothermal cheaper than nuclear and competitive with solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind paired with energy storage.
Project InnerSpace is a 501(c)3 non-profit focused on expanding the use of geothermal energy globally. We are a team of scientists working to combine the voices of visionaries, entrepreneurs, and disruptors with the breakthrough expertise of geologists, drilling experts, and well engineers to build a future where geothermal powers the world with abundant and affordable energy. Project InnerSpace’s catalogue of “Future of” reports includes Texas and Pennsylvania (US), with reports in New Mexico (US), India and Indonesia in development. For more information, visit ProjectInnerSpace.org or connect with us on LinkedIn.
SOURCE Project InnerSpace