As we begin a new year and look ahead towards what's to come in 2026, it is hard not to feel that UK geothermal energy is approaching a turning point. The case for geothermal is compelling and increasingly well understood - it is inexhaustible, near zero carbon, secure and available everywhere.
Geothermal can strengthen energy security by reducing reliance on gas imports, kickstarting economic growth through new business opportunities, and supporting the ambition to make the UK a clean energy superpower. However, unlike other low-carbon technologies, geothermal still remains almost entirely undeveloped in the UK and lacks a bespoke, long-term package of policy targets and financial support.
That disconnect between opportunity and delivery is precisely why the UK National Geothermal Centre (NGC) was founded in January 2024. Established as a not-for-profit with the support of Durham University and the Reece Foundation, the Net Zero Technology Centre and Shift Geothermal, the NGC exists to accelerate the UK's uptake of geothermal heat and power. Our ambition is clear: to become the "go to" source for supporting growth in the sector and helping government deliver on net zero targets.
Over the past year, momentum has begun to build. The NGC has been working collaboratively with stakeholders across the ecosystem, including the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and its chief scientific advisor, utility companies, universities, regulators, developers, investors, technology suppliers and trade associations. Together, we are developing a roadmap that outlines the pathways the UK must take to make geothermal a consistent part of our low-carbon energy mix. That includes advocating for change where required, improving investor confidence and creating frameworks that allow private capital to flow.
The prize is significant. The British Geological Survey estimates the UK's geothermal resources could meet heat demand for a century. Matching growth seen in mainland Europe it could also cut 10 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, save £0.8 to £1.6 billion annually in avoided CCS costs, and create thousands of jobs. Experience from Sweden, the Netherlands, France and Germany show what is possible when clear programmes are in place. Industry interest exists in the UK, but government investment, including continued support for organisations such as the NGC, is essential to de-risk projects and create routes to market.
Encouragingly, 2025 has delivered tangible progress. We have seen the launch of critical tools and reviews that will help de-risk future projects, including including the Arup UK geothermal energy review and cost estimations, the British Geological Survey UK Geothermal Platform and publication of an international database of more than 400 hot sedimentary aquifer projects. In addition, GeoEnergy NI launched its short film Unearthing the heat beneath our feet', helping to bring geothermal into public view, while the GEMINI project led by Dublin's Energy Agency has attracted £17.3 million of investment to reduce emissions from heat production across Ireland.
On the ground, projects are also advancing. Cornish Lithium has secured planning permission for the UK's first commercial geothermal lithium facility, while Geothermal Engineering is progressing its electricity generation plant at United Downs, with first geothermal electrons expected to be flowing in 2026. At the University of Leeds, the Ofgem-funded GeoGrid project has delivered better-than-expected borehole results, informing the design of a future campus heating system. In Scotland, NHS Grampian has a feasibility study underway for Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to decarbonise by utilising all that geothermal has to offer.
The NGC has also been supporting several deep geothermal projects including Aberdeen University after they secured funds to drill boreholes to further explore the deep geothermal potential of its estate, and York University which announced its plans for a deep geothermal energy project. In Wales, the Lindsay mine water treatment scheme, managed by the Mining Remediation Authority is successfully delivering low carbon heat to an adjacent industrial site now making good use of something that was previously viewed as a liability.
Geothermal innovation is also expanding beyond heat extraction alone. At Durham University, drilling into flooded mine workings will test underground thermal energy storage, capturing waste heat from high-performance computing data centres for use in heating the estate in winter. This kind of integration shows how geothermal can complement other low-carbon technologies, reduce pressure on the electricity grid and improve efficiency during colder months.
Other notable progress across the geothermal landscape includes local support and international collaboration:
- Community-scale projects: Ashford Borough Council is exploring a ground source heat scheme with Kensa, and Marshland Primary Academy completed a hybrid geothermal-solar system earlier this year.
- Heat network integration: Star Energy in Southampton is working with Bring Energy to expand geothermal use within the city's heat network.
- International collaboration: NGC partnered with the German Geothermal Congress, leading a panel to showcase UK progress and share knowledge with projects across Europe.
Looking to 2026, the outlook is cautiously optimistic. Several projects are expected to move into drilling phases, the UK's first geothermal electricity generation at United Downs is anticipated, and new analysis such as The Future of Geothermal in the United Kingdom by Project Innerspace will further sharpen the evidence base. The challenge now is to translate growing interest into sustained delivery.
The UK has the resources, the skills and the emerging momentum. With the right policy signals and continued collaboration across sectors, geothermal can move from an underused asset to a cornerstone of our low-carbon future. The heat beneath our feet is ready; the task ahead is to unlock it.
By Charlotte Adams, CEO, for Energy Voice
