Geothermal district heating is already making a measurable difference in cities across Europe, Asia, and beyond. By learning from these varied experiences, more regions can unlock the benefits of clean, reliable, and locally sourced heat.
Geothermal heat – a growing global resource
Geothermal district heating is no longer a niche technology. Today, around 30 countries worldwide¹ operate systems that deliver clean, renewable heat to cities, towns, and industries. From the Paris Basin’s urban networks to China’s large-scale deployments, these projects prove that geothermal energy can play a central role in the transition away from fossil fuels.
While geological conditions vary, the principle is the same: tapping heat from deep underground aquifers, transferring it to a district heating network, and reinjecting the cooled water to maintain long-term sustainability. The following examples show how different regions have adapted the technology to their needs.
¹European Parliament briefing (2023) based on EGEC Geothermal Market Report 2021. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/da/document/EPRS_BRI%282023%29754566
France – the Paris Basin pioneer
The Paris Basin is one of the world’s most concentrated areas of geothermal district heating. Since the late 1970s, the region has been using deep limestone aquifers to supply hot water to residential and commercial buildings.
Today, more than 40 geothermal plants operate in the greater Paris area, serving over 250,000 households. The systems typically deliver water at 50–85°C, often boosted by large heat pumps where higher temperatures are needed. Long experience with reinjection has helped maintain reservoir stability for decades.
Germany – scaling geothermal in cities
Germany’s geothermal expansion is driven by cities aiming for climate neutrality. Munich, for example, aims to achieve CO2-neutral coverage of the city’s district heating demand by 2040 at the latest, mainly through geothermal energy². The city is investing in multiple deep wells and heat plants, capitalising on favourable geology in the Molasse Basin.
Other German cities, such as Neubraundenburg, Potsdam, and Schwerin, have successfully integrated geothermal into their district heating systems, often combining it with solar thermal or biomass to achieve year-round resilience.
²https://www.swm.de/english/company
Iceland – geothermal as the main heat source
While Iceland is best known for using geothermal for electricity generation, it is actually more important for heating. Around 90% of Iceland’s homes are heated with geothermal energy, making it one of the most complete examples of geothermal penetration in the world.
In Reykjavik, the municipal utility Veitur operates a network supplied by multiple geothermal plants, including CHP plants located about 25 km from the city, delivering heat and hot water to more than 200,000 residents. This model shows the potential of geothermal where high-temperature resources are available.
China – the largest geothermal heating market
China has become the world’s largest single user of geothermal district heating, measured by heated floor area. Cities such as Xiong’an and Tianjin have embraced geothermal to reduce urban air pollution and replace coal-fired boilers.
In Xiong’an, a newly developed eco-city, geothermal now covers a significant share of the heating demand, making it a flagship project for low-carbon urban development in Asia.
The Netherlands – geothermal in a low-temperature network
In the Netherlands, geothermal district heating is gaining traction in both urban areas and greenhouse horticulture. Projects in cities like The Hague and Pijnacker-Nootdorp draw from aquifers at around 70°C, which is well-suited for modern low-temperature district heating networks.
The Dutch experience shows that even moderate temperatures can work effectively when networks and buildings are optimised for lower supply levels.
Key takeaways from around the World
- Adaptability – Geothermal systems work in high-temperature volcanic regions (Iceland) and in lower-temperature sedimentary basins (France, Netherlands).
- Scalability – They can serve single towns or entire metropolitan areas.
- Integration – Successful projects often combine geothermal with other renewables for flexibility and resilience.