Supporting heat decarbonisation in the UK through national geothermal data and summary information

Geothermal energy roadmaps, white papers and inquiry findings in the UK have frequently recommended improving data availability and accessibility, as one part of unlocking geothermal investment at scale. Between 2023-2025, the British Geological Survey (BGS) and collaborators have delivered a range of national scale initiatives around digital geothermal data, maps and tools. These include releasing over 11,800 data points in the UK Geothermal Catalogue and a newly developed digital UK Geothermal Platform containing over 90 layers of data, including summary layers for four geothermal technologies. A ground source heat pump screening tool has also been released for hospital sites in England. Taken together, the data and information makes geothermal opportunities more visible and provides underpinning information for developers, Government policy makers and researchers to understand the options. As interest rises in shallow and deep geothermal technologies, data is now becoming more available and accessible to support heat decarbonisation in the UK.