Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is the natural heat stored within the Earth. It can be used for water and space heating and may also be used to generate electricity.
We updated the regulatory guidance on accessing Scotland's geothermal resource (March 2024) in partnership with the relevant regulatory authorities to help promote awareness of the regulatory framework for deep geothermal projects in Scotland.
We have supported a number of studies to explore the potential of geothermal energy in Scotland as a source of low-carbon heat. These are detailed below.
Potential for deep geothermal energy in Scotland
Three deep geothermal energy sources with significant potential have been identified in Scotland:
- abandoned mineworkings, such as those in Scotland’s Midland Valley
- hot sedimentary aquifers, which are bodies of permeable rock that can conduct significant quantities of groundwater
- hot dry rocks , which in Scotland are likely to exist in high heat production granites such as those in East Grampian and to the north of Inverness
Read the study report below.
- Potential for deep geothermal energy in Scotland: study volume 1
- Potential for deep geothermal energy in Scotland: study volume 2
We published waste heat recovery: an introductory guide (in July 2024), in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, which provides information about heat that is being wasted or not used to its full potential and how to capture it and use it. One of the topics covered in the guide is mine water geothermal.
Scottish Enterprise published Unlocking the Economic Potential of Mine Water Geothermal in Scotland (in February 2025): the findings of research it had commissioned to understand what type of information stakeholders would require to consider mine water as a low carbon heating solution at the earliest stages of their projects. The project engaged with a range of stakeholders from across the project lifecycle to determine their level of awareness and perceptions about mine water geothermal technology.
Research site in Glasgow
The east end of Glasgow is one of the sites which form the British Geological Survey (BGS) UK Geoenergy Observatories Programme. At the Glasgow Geoenergy Observatory site, a network of boreholes has been drilled and fitted with sensors. These are designed to observe how warm water moves around the abandoned mineworkings. Data and information from the UK Geoenergy Observatories are free, open and accessible to all as it becomes available.
The BGS and the University of Stirling published Evaluating the Relationship between Public Perception, Engagement and Attitudes Towards Underground Energy Technologies which shows the findings of a research study exploring attitudes towards geoenergy and decarbonisation.
Supply chain opportunities
To understand the potential opportunity for economic development presented by the location of the research site in Glasgow, Scottish Enterprise commissioned a company demand analysis.
Scottish Enterprise also commissioned a geothermal supply chain analysis and global market opportunities study to assess the geothermal market opportunities for Scotland’s oil and gas supply chain.
IEA Geothermal Mine Water Energy Expert Group
The IEA Geothermal Mine Water Energy Expert Group was set up in 2022 and is chaired by the British Geological Survey. The Scottish Government, SEPA and Scottish Enterprise are members of the Group which aims to use current UK expertise and interest in the field of mine water thermal energy to leverage global collaborations and knowledge sharing. The Group’s website features a range of resources, including case studies of mine water energy schemes and a summary of the regulatory framework for coal mine water geothermal developments across the UK.
Contact
For more information on geothermal energy, contact Johann MacDougall at johann.macdougall@gov.scot.