EU energy ministers to discuss geothermal energy and future of energy policy on 16 December
The EU Ministers responsible for energy issues will convene in Brussels on 16 December 2024. They will discuss the Council conclusions on the promotion of geothermal energy and the future of EU’s energy policy. Finland will be represented by Minister of Climate and the Environment Kai Mykkänen.
The conclusions on geothermal energy will emphasise its potential as a local renewable energy source. The Commission will be invited to draw up an action plan to promote geothermal energy.
The challenges of geothermal energy include complex regulation, uncertain economic profitability, lack of knowledge and skills, licensing, environmental risks associated with drilling and the need to implement projects in accordance with EU environmental and water protection rules.
Geothermal energy typically refers to the utilisation of energy generated in the earth’s crust by drilling deep (over 3,000 m) wells into the crust and circulating water through them. However, geothermal heat (with wells less than 1,000 m deep) is also generally considered geothermal energy.
Finland is one of the EU’s leading users of geothermal heat, and medium-deep geothermal energy (500-3,000 m) is seen as a promising method for producing renewable heat. Technology can also be used for seasonal heat storage, which contributes to increased flexibility in energy use. Demonstration projects on deep geothermal energy have also been carried out, but drilling deep wells in Finland is expensive and technically difficult, which limits their usability and profitability.
Energy targets for the next legislative period on the agenda
The ministers will also hold a political debate on a genuine Energy Union. The background paper of the Council Presidency states that the EU must be able to respond to a number of challenges to continue promoting its energy and climate objectives. The debate will focus on the question of which initiatives will be prioritised during the next legislative period so that the objectives of the Energy Union can be advanced most effectively, while ensuring a safe, affordable and sustainable energy future for all Europeans.
In July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the Clean Industrial Deal initiative, which the new Commission will present within the first hundred days of its term. The Commission will also adopt an action plan on affordable energy. In addition, the Commission is expected to publish concrete initiatives, such as an action plan on electrification and a roadmap outlining how the EU will end Russian energy imports completely.
Mario Draghi’s report on European competitiveness published in September underlined high energy prices as the main challenge to EU competitiveness compared to its main competitors.
Finland considers that investments in clean energy should continue to be promoted on market terms, above all. Measures related to renewable energy and energy efficiency should focus on reducing the use of fossil fuels. The EU’s dependence on third countries, especially Russia, must be reduced further to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy.
Energy efficiency targets should primarily serve to lower emissions, rather than limiting consumption. Technologies necessary for the clean transition specific to each Member State must be treated equally. Finland strongly promotes the role of nuclear energy as an emissions-free form of energy in the clean transition.
Inquiries:
Riku Huttunen, Director General, Minister of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 431 6518
Elina Johansson, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 301 4607
Sanna Ek-Husson, Senior Specialist, Permanent Representation of Finland, Brussels, tel. +32 470 206 178