COP31 Could Help Türkiye Attract Geothermal Investment and Expand Renewable Energy, IGA Says

Türkiye could use the upcoming COP31 climate conference to attract geothermal energy investment and demonstrate how the technology can support energy security, renewable heating and industrial development, according to Marit Brommer, Chief Executive Officer of the International Geothermal Association (IGA). Speaking to Anadolu on World Geothermal Day, 17 October 2026, Brommer said the conference offers an opportunity to connect geothermal developers with policymakers, financial institutions and investors seeking reliable domestic energy sources and alternatives to imported fossil fuels.

 

Türkiye ranks fourth globally and first in Europe in installed geothermal electricity capacity, according to Brommer. However, she emphasised that the country's experience extends beyond power generation to applications such as district heating, agriculture and local economic development. "We should look beyond geothermal solely as an electricity technology. We should recognise it as a resource that can support entire energy systems, local economies and communities," she said. Türkiye's experience in resource development, regulation and direct-use applications could also provide lessons for emerging geothermal markets in Central Asia, the Balkans and Africa.

 

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Despite its potential, geothermal development faces significant financial and regulatory challenges. Exploration involves substantial upfront expenditure, while uncertainty about underground resources can discourage investment before a project becomes commercially viable. Lengthy permitting procedures and the long periods required to recover investment can create additional obstacles. Brommer called for clearer resource rights, transparent licensing systems, mechanisms to reduce exploration risks and stable investment conditions. She also highlighted the need to strengthen technical and institutional capacity among regulators, financial institutions and public authorities responsible for geothermal development.

 

The International Geothermal Association sees COP31, scheduled for November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, as an opportunity to bring geothermal energy into broader international discussions on climate action, energy security and economic resilience. Brommer argued that the conference should focus on practical measures to mobilise investment and advance projects rather than concentrating exclusively on climate targets. "We must now turn decades of scientific knowledge and technical expertise into policy, investment and implementation," she said.

 

Geothermal energy can provide continuous electricity generation and renewable heat, making it a potential complement to weather-dependent sources such as solar and wind. Its wider deployment could also help countries reduce fossil fuel consumption in heating and other energy-intensive applications. For Türkiye, COP31 offers a platform to showcase established geothermal expertise and encourage international cooperation, although the interview does not identify specific investment commitments or projects expected to emerge from the conference.