France Makes It Easier To Go Geothermal With New Procedures

Accelerating Energy Transition: France Simplifies Geothermal Mining Procedures

By:Robert Buluma

In a bold move to expedite France's energy transition and bolster its supply security, Bruno Le Maire and Roland Lescure unveiled groundbreaking measures on April 12th, aimed at simplifying mining procedures. These measures are poised to pave the way for crucial projects vital to both energy transition and supply security.

France boasts a rich subsoil teeming with essential resources pivotal for successful energy transition endeavors, such as geothermal energy, lithium, and copper. However, the exploitation of these resources has been hampered by lengthy bureaucratic procedures. 

Unlocking Geothermal Potential:

Geothermal energy, a renewable and carbon-neutral energy source, harnesses the thermal energy from the Earth's subterranean depths and aquifers. With 90% of the national territory suitable for geothermal exploitation, it stands as a prime candidate for scaling up renewable energy production.

The national geothermal action plan, coupled with the Strategic National Energy Plan (PPE), sets ambitious targets for expanding geothermal operations, both in deep and surface geothermal projects. However, the current regulatory framework, particularly the mining code, imposes lengthy procedures for obtaining exclusive research permits, hindering the timely realization of geothermal projects.

Securing Critical Minerals:

The burgeoning demand for critical minerals, essential for green technologies, underscores the need to fortify France's sovereignty over its resource base. The country harbors significant reserves of minerals like lithium and copper, imperative for electrification and renewable energy deployment.

For instance, France's lithium reserves, pivotal for electric mobility, could meet a substantial portion of future demand. Similarly, copper reserves, crucial for wind turbines and solar panels, underscore the strategic importance of domestic resource extraction.

Streamlining Mining Procedures:

Recognizing the urgency of expediting energy transition projects, the government has introduced sweeping reforms to streamline mining procedures. These reforms aim to significantly reduce the bureaucratic hurdles associated with obtaining exclusive research permits (PER), thereby catalyzing the development of mining projects.

Key reforms include the parallelization of permit processing stages, enabling a substantial reduction in approval timelines from over 2 years to as little as 6-9 months. Additionally, exceptional extensions for existing permits and provisions for repurposing hydrocarbon wells for CO2 storage further enhance the regulatory framework.

Charting a Greener Future:

To showcase France's commitment to sustainable resource utilization, Bruno Le Maire and Roland Lescure will convene the Bercy Summit on Geothermal Energy, Mines, and Transitions. This event will serve as a platform to unveil the National Policy on Subsoil Resources and Usage, outlining the strategic vision for mining and geothermal policies.

As Bruno Le Maire aptly stated, "To succeed in energy transition and bolster industrial sovereignty, France must embrace its mining heritage in the 21st century." The proposed simplification measures will not only accelerate vital projects but also position France as a global leader in responsible mining for energy transition.

The USA has also been making it easier for companies to harnes steam and seeing France going in the same direction it's really encouraging to be in Geothermal today

In essence, France's bold strides towards simplifying mining procedures underscore its unwavering commitment to forging a sustainable, greener future powered by domestic resources. 

Source:francaise

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