Geothermal energy: "Public support has not removed the barriers to development" (French Cour des Comptes)

In its final observations on public support for the development of geothermal energy, published on 13/01/2026, the Cour des Comptes (French State Audit Office) stated that "the public support provided has not, at this stage, removed the structural obstacles to the development of geothermal energy, linked in particular to the initial costs of projects, the technical and geological risks, and the complexity of the procedures and frameworks for intervention".

A first report on geothermal energy was published by the Court in 2013. This new report focuses on public support for the development of geothermal energy. The obstacles identified are the high investment costs, the technical risks and the complexity and slowness of the procedures.

" The development of surface, deep heat and deep power geothermal energy remains limited, however, since geothermal energy accounts for just 1% of final heat consumption in France. It is held back by constraints of various kinds, despite significant public support in 2024, estimated by the Court at €123 M for deep geothermal energy and €110 M for surface…