Who Is Really Funding Next-Gen Geothermal in 2026? Next-generation geothermal has moved beyond laboratory research into a capital-intensive commercialization phase. In 2026, the most important financing is no longer coming from one investor category: venture capital funds are financing drilling, subsurface modelling and hardware; strategic energy companies are providing equipment, project access and market credibility; banks are beginning to lend against contracted projects; and governments are absorbing exploration and first-of-a-kind technology risk. The strongest financing activity is concentrated in the United States and Canada, but Europe is becoming increasingly important through Germany-based deployment, European Union grants, UK innovation support, and strategic participation from European energy companies. The central investment question is changing from “Can this technology work?” to “Can the developer deliver repeatable, financeable projects at commercial cost?” The 2026 fun...
Developers given chance to shape geothermal regulation in Northern Ireland By: Robert Buluma A new regulatory and licensing regime is to be established in Northern Ireland to promote growth in the development of geothermal energy. Developers have until 7 August 2026 to input to the proposals (58-page / 6.8MB PDF) via a consultation being run by the Department for the Economy (DfE). Experts at Pinsent Masons said geothermal energy is a largely untapped resource in Northern Ireland but has enormous potential. Belfast-based regulatory expert Matthew McMurray said: “Geothermal energy can play a meaningful role in decarbonising heat, particularly where deployed alongside heat networks, while also enhancing security of supply through a stable, non‑weather or imported fossil fuel dependent resource.” “Importantly, geothermal is not an untested solution. There are established deployment models in comparable European jurisdictions, demonstrating that there is a clear pathway to scale...