Current and future situation in the Basque Country
Geothermal energy is a renewable power source that draws on heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface to heat buildings, produce domestic hot water and, in some cases, generate electricity.
Types of geothermal energy according to subsurface temperature
- Low temperature: Ideal for heating and cooling homes and buildings, and for domestic hot water.
- Direct use: Used in industrial processes and for direct HVAC purposes.
- High temperature: Can be used for power generation.
Geothermal energy worldwide
Geothermal energy is now a recognised energy source throughout the world, especially for low-temperature applications. Current installed capacity exceeds 130 GWt and it is mainly used for heating and cooling buildings. America is the world leader in power production from geothermal energy. In Europe and Asia the resource is predominantly used for direct HVAC, with district heating networks commonplace in Europe. There has been a significant roll out in Spain, with more than 4,000 geothermal heat pump units installed annually and a total capacity of approximately 200 MWt.
Geothermal energy in the Basque Country (2024)
In the Basque Country, geothermal energy is now a well-established energy source. In 2024, there were more than 1,300 geothermal installations in operation, mainly in homes and service buildings. The residential sector accounts for 70% of all usage, as compared to 25% in services and 5% in industry. Current installed capacity stands at 39 MW, but the Basque Energy Strategy 2030 sets an ambitious target: to multiply this figure more than sixfold to 250 MW, furthering the transition to a more sustainable energy model.
Why choose geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is a good choice as a renewable energy for heating and cooling, offering unique advantages over other technologies. It is available anywhere, meaning that it can be installed in urban, rural and industrial environments. It is also extremely versatile: heating, cooling and thermal energy storage can all be covered with a single installation. In addition, its ability to combine with other renewable energies and to use residual heat makes it an efficient and integrative solution. Finally, the technology is simple and affordable: in homes, all that is needed is a preliminary study and installation of an exchange loop adapted to the specific demand. It is therefore simple to install and entails no great technical complexity.
The future of geothermal energy in the Basque Country
Geothermal energy is increasingly being recognised as a strategic opportunity in the move towards a more efficient and sustainable energy model in the Basque Country. The greatest potential for growth lies with low-temperature applications, where geothermal energy is an ideal solution for heating and cooling buildings with lower emissions and costs. As technology evolves towards higher quality standards, it is well suited for use in homes and companies and is now seen as a reliable and affordable alternative.
Geothermal energy is also set to play a key role in smart heat management and energy storage, since it can help optimise the use of renewable resources. The Basque authorities have promoted a number of innovative low-temperature heating and cooling network projects, including the Arkaute Model Farm, the Donostia-San Sebastián campus of the University of Deusto and the new urban development on the island of Zorrotzaurre in Bilbao. These initiatives are blazing the trail towards a future in which geothermal energy will play a leading role in the region’s energy transition.
