United Kingdom: Durham Energy Institute Recommends Greater Use of Geothermal

Releasing Our Geothermal Potential (Durham Energy Institute)

Mining the UK’s geothermal potential: towards a local carbon neutral heating solution

Over half of UK energy demand is used to produce heat. Most of this is produced using gas. We currently import more than half of the gas we use. This raises concerns about climate change and future energy security. We need to find alternative sources of low carbon heat.

Our recommendations:

1. The Government must urgently develop a clear strategy for decarbonising heat supply as a key element of its plans to meet the UK’s carbon reduction plans under the Climate Change Act and Paris agreement commitments. 
2. Review local and national planning policy to include geothermal for all new developments where possible 
3. License geothermal in a similar way to oil and gas to attract investment and reduce development risk 
4. Extend Contracts for Difference to cover large heat schemes as well as electricity generation projects 
5. Develop new regulation for heat so that heat markets can develop whilst consumers are protected.

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