Azores Greet GEO Forum: Strengthening Interregional Cooperation for Geothermal Development in EU Outermost Regions

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Date & Location: 16th September, 2026, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal


Registration link here


Background:

This forum, hosted by INOVA Institute in partnership with La Palma Research Centre (LPRC) and Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar (EIHP) within the framework of the EU-funded Greet GEO project (I3 Programme, Grant Agreement nº 101180405), aims to showcase practical insights, technical advances, and strategic pathways for accelerating geothermal energy deployment across European regions.

A comprehensive review of intersectoral and interregional experiences will be presented, drawing on technical case studies and regional assessments, from de-risking deep geothermal investments in Croatia and shallow geothermal applications for heating and cooling in Canary Islands, to operational district heating networks such as São Pedro do Sul (Mainland Portugal).

Despite its vast potential, geothermal energy as a whole remains underutilized across many European regions, namely in EU outermost regions. The forum addresses this gap by presenting first results on the Report on Geothermal Investment Opportunities in the Azores, Madeira, and Canary Islands, to identify investment-oriented approaches, policy frameworks, and market barriers.

The event emphasizes cross-sectoral synergies, regulatory harmonization, and supply chain innovation to foster decarbonization and regional energy independence. To demonstrate sustainable island applications, participants are invited to join a technical field visit to INOVA’s experimental greenhouses, the Ribeira Grande geothermal field and power plants, the Caldeira Velha thermal area, and the Fogo Volcano caldera.

Purpose:

The Azores Greet GEO Forum aims to strengthen interregional value chains, innovation ecosystems, and policy frameworks to accelerate deep and shallow geothermal deployment. By fostering direct collaboration between EU outermost regions (Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands) and continental partners, the event addresses market and regulatory barriers to facilitate investment. Ultimately, it empowers regional stakeholders, policy-makers, and SMEs to actively engage in sustainable, scalable geothermal energy ecosystems.

Azores Greet GEO Forum: Strengthening Interregional Cooperation for Geothermal Development in EU Outermost Regions

Draft Agenda

Date: 16th September 2026

Location: INOVA Institute, ENTA Auditorium, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores

Morning Program – From Geothermal Potential to Deployment

09:00 – 09:30Welcome and Registration
09:30 – 11:00Session 1- Interregional Perspectives and Technical Insights
09:30 – 09:50 Geothermal Development in Croatia: History, Legislation and Ongoing Projects – Željka Sladović (GeoDa Consulting d.o.o./ HUGE)  
09:50 – 10:10Advancing Deep Geothermal in the Canary Islands – Speaker to be confirmed
10:10 – 10:30The São Pedro do Sul (Portugal Mainland) Geothermal District Heating Network – Kevin Castro Cañon (University of Beira Interior)
10:30 – 10:50Shallow Geothermal for Heating & Cooling: Canary Islands Experiences – Speaker to be confirmed
10:50 – 11:15Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:30Session 2- Panel Discussion: Business, Policy, Investment and Market Barriers
11:15 – 11:30 11:30 – 12:30Introduction: “Report on Geothermal Investment Opportunities in the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands: First Results”, by Fundo de Maneio (Azores) Panel Discussion with experts from GreetGEO partners and European Union OMR (Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands) Audience Q&A
13:00 – 15:00Geothermal Lunch (free): Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande fumarolic field – Traditional Azorean geothermal stew / “Cozido”

Afternoon Program – Geothermal Field Trip

15:00 – 19:00Field Visit: INOVA Institute greenhouses, Ribeira Grande geothermal field and powerplants, Caldeira Velha thermal area and Fogo Volcano caldera and lake.

GreetGEO Project Invites Mission Cities to Webinar on Financing Geothermal Energy and Waste Heat

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Date: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Time: 09:30 – 11:00 CEST
Location: Online, via Microsoft Teams

The GreetGEO project team is pleased to invite stakeholders to a dedicated webinar on practical tools for financing geothermal energy and waste heat utilisation in cities, taking place on 15 September 2026, online via Microsoft Teams.

Delivered under the GreetGEO project, in conjunction with the NetZeroCities initiative, the session is designed for cities exploring geothermal energy or looking to make better use of waste heat, bringing together case studies, financing tools, and direct engagement with city priorities.

Financing Tools for Geothermal and Waste Heat


The webinar aims to equip Cities with practical tools and real-world examples for turning geothermal energy and waste heat opportunities into financeable projects. A central feature will be the Heat Pump Tool, developed by the Hungarian Heat Pump Association, alongside a dedicated financing model for the use of waste heat from geothermal energy.


Programme


The agenda includes:

  • Case studies of geothermal energy use at the urban level
  • Presentation of the Heat Pump Tool, developed by the Hungarian Heat Pump Association
  • A financing model for using waste heat from geothermal energy
  • An interactive session with live polls and Q&A on participating cities’ interests and priorities

The webinar will be recorded, with the recording shared with participants afterwards.

Why Attend?

Participants will benefit from:

  • Practical, ready-to-use financing tools for geothermal and waste heat projects
  • Real-world case studies from cities already advancing geothermal energy use
  • A direct opportunity to shape the discussion around your city’s own priorities and challenges

Please register your intention to participate at the following link: Registration – Financing Geothermal Energy and Waste Heat Utilisation in Cities

International Workshop on the Strategic Innovation Agenda for Geothermal Exploitation in Europe Concludes Successfully

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Florence, Italy | 21 July

The international workshop “Strategic Innovation Agenda for Geothermal Exploitation in Europe” was successfully held on 21 July in Florence and online, attracting a strong audience of stakeholders, experts, and industry representatives committed to advancing geothermal energy across Europe.

Organized by COSVIG-DTE and the GreetGeo Project consortium, with the support of Region of Tuscany, the event provided an important platform for discussion on the future of geothermal energy and its role in Europe’s transition toward a more sustainable and resilient energy system.

The workshop brought together leading experts from academia, industry, regional authorities, and research organizations to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and explore innovative strategies for the development and deployment of geothermal technologies. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration, fostering innovation, and identifying opportunities to accelerate the sustainable growth of the geothermal sector across Europe.

A distinguished panel of speakers contributed to the event, including representatives from the Region of Tuscany, COSVIG-DTE, the Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar, GeoDa Consulting, LEA Pomurje, IDROGEO SRL, the Italian Geothermal Union (UGI), Steam, and SODEPAL in collaboration with Universidad Isabel I. Their expertise and insights helped create a dynamic and forward-looking dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing the geothermal industry.

The organizers expressed their sincere appreciation to all speakers for their valuable contributions and to the many participants who attended both in person and remotely. Their active engagement enriched the discussions and reinforced the importance of cross-border cooperation in driving innovation and sustainable development within the geothermal sector.

The event also highlighted the collaborative efforts of the GreetGeo Project partners, whose collective expertise continues to support the advancement of geothermal energy solutions throughout Europe. The successful outcome of the workshop marks another important step toward shaping a shared strategic vision for geothermal innovation, helping unlock the full potential of this renewable energy resource as a key contributor to Europe’s clean energy future.

GreetGEO Project Invites Stakeholders to Geothermal Investment Event in Budapest

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The GreetGEO project team is pleased to invite partners and stakeholders to a dedicated event focused on advancing geothermal and heat pump projects, taking place on June 9, 2026, in Budapest.

Organised alongside the SMEnergy “From Projects to Impact” international conference, the stakeholder meeting titled “Road to Geothermal Investments”, GreetGEO will bring together experts, project developers, and decision-makers to explore how innovative geothermal ideas can be transformed into bankable, investment-ready projects.

Event Details

  • Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
  • Time: 10:30 – 12:40
  • Location: Impact Hub Budapest (1077 Budapest, Wesselényi utca 17., 2nd floor)

Driving the Geothermal Transition

The event aims to provide practical guidance and real-world insights into both the opportunities and challenges of geothermal energy development. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the technical, financial, and regulatory frameworks shaping the sector, with a strong focus on scaling project ideas into viable investments.

A key highlight will be the collaboration with the HeatInvest project, which focuses on financing opportunities and accelerating the commercial uptake of innovative heat pump and geothermal solutions in Europe.

Expert-Led Agenda

The programme features a series of expert presentations and interactive discussions, including:

  • Introduction to the GreetGEO project, presented by Melinda Tóth (STRIA)
  • A stakeholder session on project-oriented geothermal development, covering international cooperation and investment challenges
  • A technical session on applications of geothermal energy, exploring technologies such as borehole heat exchangers, shallow groundwater systems, and deep geothermal solutions
  • Insights into economic viability and scaling of geothermal technologies
  • A presentation of the HeatInvest project and EU-level financing opportunities for heat pump development

Each session will include opportunities for questions and discussions, ensuring an interactive and practical learning experience.

Why Attend?

Participants will benefit from:

  • Direct access to industry experts and policy specialists
  • Insight into cutting-edge geothermal technologies and applications
  • Practical advice on turning concepts into investment-ready projects
  • Opportunities to network and engage in interactive roundtable discussions during the SMEnergy conference

Attendees are also encouraged to participate in the afternoon sessions of the SMEnergy conference, where the GreetGEO project will be further represented.

Please register your intention to participate at the following link:

Registration – GreetGeo stakeholder event

We also recommend registering for the main SMEnergy event to ensure the full professional
experience: SMEnergy Conference Registration

Pannonian Basin Geothermal Stakeholders’ Meetup – 3 June 2026

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An online webinar bringing together geothermal stakeholders from across Central and Eastern Europe to strengthen collaboration and support project development in the Pannonian Basin—one of Europe’s most promising yet underutilised geothermal regions.

The event will focus on fostering connections between industry players, project developers, technology providers, and investors, while creating opportunities for joint activities, including EU-funded projects, equipment and service partnerships, and cross-border market expansion.

? 3 June 2026 | 15:00 CET
? Online

Full information and agenda here

Agenda highlights:

  • Opening remarks and introduction by the moderator
  • Short participant presentations (3–5 minutes each, up to 5 slides), covering:
    • Organisation profile and key references
    • Areas of expertise and current activities
    • Collaboration interests and opportunities
  • Moderated Q&A session based on participant questions
  • Networking opportunities to facilitate follow-up discussions and partnerships

Participants are encouraged to actively contribute by presenting their organisation and engaging with peers to identify concrete cooperation opportunities across the region.

Registration:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Q1_yN-IxTXG3IIAsqNotRw#/registration

This initiative is organised by Greet Geo, GEOSYN (Geo-Cluster), and ReheatEast.

Conference on the Transition of Heating and Cooling Systems Held at the Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar

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On March 13th, the Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar (EIHP) hosted the conference “Transition of Heating and Cooling Systems – From Planning to Implementation,” organized through several EU projects including REHEATEAST, Enefirst Plus, GreetGeo, HEAT 35, USES4HEAT, and DHC SwEEtch.

With heating and cooling representing about half of total energy consumption, speakers emphasized the sector’s key role in meeting EU climate neutrality goals. Croatia’s new Energy Efficiency Act was highlighted, introducing annual 1.9% energy‑reduction obligations for public authorities and stricter building renovation standards.

Sessions covered recent legislation, EU policy implementation, modernization of district heating, use of waste heat and geothermal energy, and available financing tools.

A central highlight was Ilja Drmač’s presentation on the Vukovar district heating decarbonisation pilot under the HEAT 35 project. The pilot showcased practical steps for transitioning existing heating networks to low‑carbon, sustainable solutions, offering a model for broader national and EU‑wide replication.

Read more here: Conference on the Transition of Heating and Cooling Systems Held at the Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar – Interreg Central Europe

Transgeo Project – Final Event

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The Greet Geo Project is pleased to share news about the successful Final Conference of the Transgeo Project, a sister initiative in which our shared partner LEAP also plays an active role. As both projects work to strengthen geospatial knowledge and cross‑border territorial cooperation, we are happy to highlight this important milestone.

The Transgeo Final Conference brought together project partners and regional stakeholders to present results, exchange insights, and discuss the project’s contribution to geospatial integration across Hungary, Croatia, and Slovenia.

As LEAP is a consortium partner in both Transgeo and Greet Geo, we are proud to see our shared partner contributing to innovative geospatial solutions across multiple international initiatives.

We congratulate the Transgeo partners on completing this significant project and look forward to continued cooperation and knowledge exchange.

GEMINI – Geothermal Project Accelerates Ireland’s Renewable Energy Transition

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The GEMINI (Geothermal Energy Momentum on the Island of Ireland) project continues to advance as one of the most ambitious geothermal energy initiatives in Europe, aiming to reshape Ireland’s renewable heating landscape through large‑scale demonstration sites and cross‑border collaboration.

Launched with €20 million in funding, GEMINI is a four‑year program designed to propel the adoption of both shallow and deep geothermal solutions across the island. The project is led by Codema, Dublin’s Energy Agency, and supported by the EU’s PEACEPLUS Programme, in coordination with both the Irish and Northern Irish governments.

GEMINI is currently developing five real‑world geothermal demonstration sites, including facilities in Belfast, Sligo, the Irish border region, and Dublin, representing a mix of shallow (<500 m) and deep (~2 km) geothermal systems.

Each site is intended to evaluate geothermal performance, operational costs, and scalability, while informing future national policies and guidelines.

Know more about GEMINI Geothermal energy on the island of Ireland

Hungary Launches New Geothermal Investment De‑Risking Scheme

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Hungary has officially launched a new geothermal investment de‑risking scheme aimed at accelerating development of geothermal heating projects across the country. The government issued a call for proposals under the Reducing Geothermal Drilling Risks (KEHOP‑Plusz‑4.2.4‑25) programme, opening a major funding window to support drilling and early‑stage project preparation.

Funding will be awarded through two competitive rounds:

  • Phase 1: March 2-April 30, 2026
  • Phase 2: September 14-October 30, 2026
    These windows are expected to attract both SMEs and large enterprises holding geothermal concession rights or exploration permits, provided they also have final construction permits for drilling locations.

The new scheme forms a core part of Hungary’s National Geothermal Strategy, which targets a 20% increase in geothermal energy use by 2026 and aims to double national geothermal output by 2030. Ongoing large‑scale geothermal projects in cities such as Szeged and Kiskunhalas demonstrate the country’s momentum in expanding clean, weather‑independent heat production.

Know more in the next link: Call for proposals – Geothermal risk mitigation scheme in Hungary

Upcoming Webinar: Risk Management in Deep Geothermal Projects

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Effective risk management is a critical factor in the successful development of deep geothermal energy projects, particularly during the drilling and testing phases.

REGISTER NOW

On Friday, 6 February 2026, at 11:00 CET, the European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) will host a free live webinar dedicated to risk management in deep geothermal projects. The event will focus on the guideline “Risk management during the drilling and testing phase of deep geothermal projects”, published in December 2025.

The guideline was developed by the German Association for Natural Gas, Petroleum and Geoenergy (BVEG) in collaboration with the German Society for Sustainable Energy Carriers, Mobility and Carbon Cycles (DGMK) and is available in both English and German.

The webinar will explore how structured risk management frameworks, standards, and guidelines can help reduce technical and financial uncertainties, support permitting processes, and contribute to the reliable implementation of deep geothermal projects. The event forms part of EGEC’s wider campaign to promote simplified permitting procedures and the wider adoption of soft measures, such as codes of practice and guidelines, across all geothermal technologies.

Speakers

The webinar will include contributions from:

  • Philippe Dumas
  • Ingo Forstner
  • Nicole Grobys
  • Dr. Sebastian Homuth
  • Virginie Hamm
  • Frank Maartense (TBC)
  • Gregor Goetzl

Registration

Participation is free of charge.
Register here: http://bit.ly/EGEC-W2
Guideline: http://bit.ly/BVEG-RISK