Making national geothermal data and information accessible to support exploration and characterisation for heat decarbonization in the UK

Geothermal energy roadmaps, white papers and inquiry findings in the UK and globally 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 has had a focus on making legacy geothermal data digitally available, as well as collaborative work to make national scale geothermal information more accessible to a range of users. These include release of a digital UK Geothermal Catalogue of over 11,800 data points, as well as a UK Geothermal Platform containing over 90 layers of data and information. The platform includes summary layers for four geothermal technologies that provide play analysis, mapping and risking for non-specialist users involved in district heating network planning, heat zoning planning and heat policy. A ground source heat pump screening tool has also been released for England that incorporates building type and heat demand information.
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 for heating and cooling, data is now becoming more available and accessible to support geothermal exploration and characterisation for heat decarbonisation in the UK.