In a written answer on 18 June 2026, Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen reaffirmed the European Commission's support for geothermal energy as part of EU decarbonisation, while acknowledging that older plants can produce significant emissions. The answer, responding to a question from MEPs Dario Tamburrano, Pasquale Tridico and Valentina Palmisano (The Left), outlined existing EU legislation and funding instruments to steer stakeholders toward low-environmental-impact technologies, but stopped short of proposing new guidelines or legislative measures.
The MEPs had raised concerns about Enel Green Power's Monte Amiata geothermal facilities in Tuscany, which use flash technology and emit greenhouse gases and harmful substances. They cited a regional health agency report showing elevated male mortality rates in the area and asked whether the Commission would draft guidelines, allocate dedicated funds, or propose legislation to promote cleaner geothermal technologies such as closed-loop systems.
Jørgensen's answer pointed to a Commission study that found extreme emissions are typically linked to older plants and specific locations, while most modern systems operate in closed loops with negligible emissions. He noted that geothermal projects are already covered by the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, which requires assessment of impacts on air quality, climate and human health before approval. To facilitate these assessments, the Commission proposed in the European Grids Package that Member States set up single digital portals for permit-granting procedures.
The Commissioner also referenced the AccelerateEU Communication, under which the Commission will support Member States and stakeholders in gathering detailed geological data and create an EU-level database, as well as showcase best practices for clean technologies. Research and development is supported through Horizon 2020 projects, such as one on geothermal emissions control involving Italian partners, and the Innovation Fund supports geothermal projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EU funding calls apply the 'do no significant harm' principle as an eligibility condition.
The answer signals that the Commission views existing regulatory and funding frameworks as sufficient to promote low-impact geothermal energy, without committing to new guidelines or legislative action. Institutional follow-up is likely to focus on implementation of the Grids Package and the AccelerateEU initiatives, with no immediate timetable for additional measures.