Geothermal heat offers the same decarbonisation potential as other renewables but with a fraction of the land requirement. For dense cities and land-constrained regions, it’s not just a smart choice – it’s often the only practical one.
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Why land use matters in renewable energy planning
When cities and regions plan their renewable energy mix, they often focus on costs and carbon savings. But land use efficiency is another crucial factor – especially in dense urban areas where space is limited and competing demands for land are high.
Some renewable technologies require large surface areas to generate significant amounts of energy. By contrast, geothermal district heating produces substantial heat output from a very small footprint, as most of the magic happens underground.
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How much land does geothermal require?
The surface facilities for a geothermal district heating system – wells, heat exchangers, pumps, and possibly large-scale heat pumps – typically fit within a few hundred to a few thousand square metres.
For example, a 10 MW geothermal heating plant can operate from a fenced site the size of a small supermarket car park. The production and reinjection wells are vertical or slightly deviated, so the heat source lies deep underground and does not affect surface land use.
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Comparing land use across renewable heat sources
- Solar thermal will require several hectares of panels.
- Biomass heating needs both a plant site, including fuel storage, and a continuous fuel supply chain, including land for growing or sourcing the biomass.
- Air-to-water heat pumps take up quite a lot of space for the energy extractors, which also cause noise during operations and therefore cannot be placed close to residential buildings.
Geothermal’s compact footprint makes it especially attractive in built-up areas where other options would be impractical.
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Benefits for urban and industrial areas
- Minimal visual impact – Most equipment is at ground level or below.
- No conflict with agriculture – Geothermal doesn’t require arable land.
- Easier integration – Geothermal district heating plants can be built close to the heat demand, reducing distribution losses.
- Potential for multi-use sites – Above-ground space can sometimes be shared with other infrastructure, green or recreational spaces, etc.
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International examples of space-efficient geothermal
- Paris Basin, France – Dozens of geothermal plants operate quietly in suburban neighbourhoods without disrupting daily life.
- The Netherlands – Geothermal plants located next to greenhouses supply both district heating and horticulture.
- Tianjin, China – Compact geothermal facilities integrated into urban blocks serve thousands of apartments.
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Why land efficiency supports the green transition
In a world where urban populations are growing and land is a finite resource, choosing renewable solutions with small physical footprints is essential. Geothermal district heating delivers high energy density, low emissions, and minimal land use – making it a powerful enabler of climate goals without competing for space with other priorities.