GEOPLAT, the Spanish Technological and Geothermal Innovation Platform, presented yesterday during the annual Assembly of the organization at the Institute for Diversification and Energy Saving (IDAE) its spin-off: the Spanish Geothermal Association, GEOENERGIA, born with the mission of being the voice of the geothermal sector in Spain. GEOENERGIA will accompany companies in the development of their businesses and will work for the development of the sector as a whole by promoting a regulatory, political and social framework that favors the sustainable implementation of geothermal throughout the territory, while creating industry and contributing environmental and socio-economic value.

The general secretary of GEOPLAT and CEO of GEONERGIA, Margarita de Gregorio, announced this new vehicle that arises to contribute to the success of projects in the geothermal sector, in addition to maximizing their visibility and opportunities. The REPowerEU Plan has shown that the ambitious environmental and energy objectives established in the European Union and in Spain require the participation of all renewable sources and that geothermal energy is essential for the decarbonisation of energy uses, both electrical and thermal.

Added to this is the support from the European Parliament with the resolution approved in early 2024 that unanimously calls for a European strategy for geothermal energy that reduces administrative burdens and boosts investments in construction, industry and agriculture; a geothermal industry alliance to achieve effective implementation of the legislation; and a harmonized risk mitigation plan. In addition, it encourages Member States to design national geothermal strategies (such as those of the French, German, Polish, Austrian, Croatian and Irish governments) and promote the just transition of mining basins through geothermal development (as HUNOSA is doing in Spain).

All this has highlighted the need for a business association in Spain that brings together the private sector and defends its interests in the field of regulation and the market. In this line, De Gregorio announced that, among its priorities, GEOENERGIA will work on regulatory and political proposals, design strategies to promote the development of the sector in a sustainable way and promote knowledge about geothermal, facilitating market intelligence, making visible agents operating in the sector and their facilities. On the other hand, it also wants to be an engine for the generation of synergies and alliances with key actors that stimulate the progress of the sector and keep all agents informed for the making of strategic decisions.

Ignasi Herms (ICGC), present at the GEOPLAT Assembly

The GEOPLAT Assembly was also a key appointment for the participation of professionals and experts in the geothermal sector, who offered their vision on the development opportunities of geothermal in the State.

Paula Fernández-Canteli Álvarez (Geological and Mining Institute of Spain - IGME), Celestí García de la Noceda (IGME), Ignasi Herms (Cartogràfic and (Geological) Institute of Catalonia) and Perla Piña-Varas (Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences of the University of Barcelona). They all analyzed the turning point experienced by geothermal energy in Spain and they stressed the need to innovate, the importance of public-private collaboration and to have more data on the sector, its capabilities and the projects that are financed by public funds.