Today's ENVE meeting saw the unanimous vote in favour of an own-initiative opinion prepared by our ECR member Mr József Ribányi on unlocking the potential of geothermal energy.

The opinion draws attention to geothermal energy as an energy source that can provide benefits as well as meet the requirements for localising energy production in Europe. For the rapporteur, clean energy like geothermal could play a "considerable role in making LRAs more resilient while making the EU more energy independent, energy secure and contributing to decarbonisation goals". 

Geothermal energy has direct benefits for local communities and economies and this is why the opinion calls for an EU-wide strategy. In particular, policy intervention is especially relevant for large-scale geothermal energy investments, which can be of "considerable cost, and which can have a significant environmental footprint if not handled properly", according to Mr Ribányi.

The rapporteur also highlighted the contribution of geothermal energy to local jobs should, which "should not be underestimated". Staffing of local geothermal power plants, including geothermal engineers and experts to support planning, delivery and maintenance of geothermal infrastructures "provide for good employment opportunities, especially in rural areas", he stated.

The opinion will be up for adoption at the CoR April plenary session.