Study visit strengthen cooperation on geothermal energy

On February 11-12, a delegation from Poland took part in study visit to Iceland through the Geothermal Synergy Project, launched in 2024, to further advance their geothermal energy collaboration. Under the GEOTHERMICA Initiative, this six-month project is a cooperation project between the Environment and Energy Agency (EEA) in Iceland and MEERI PAS in Poland to bridge Iceland’s expertise with Poland’s geothermal potential, supporting sustainable energy development.

Impact of Geothermal Synergy Project 

The study tour provided first-hand insights into Iceland’s geothermal infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, fostering stronger collaboration between Polish and Icelandic government bodies. Participants took part in an in-depth study tour of Iceland’s geothermal sites. The visit strengthened technical cooperation and policy exchange, particularly in district heating systems, industrial geothermal applications, and innovation strategies.

Minister Krzysztof Galos, Minister Jóhann Páll Jóhansson, and team at a meeting at the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate in Iceland.  

The first day of the study tour focused on the Round Table Meeting to discuss geothermal energy cooperation, regulatory frameworks, and strategic collaboration opportunities. Officials from the Polish delegation alongside the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Poland in Iceland attended the event. The meeting was opened by Mr Gestur Pétursson from Iceland’s Environmental and Energy Agency, followed by Mr Krzysztof Galos (Ministry of Climate & Environment, Poland) and Ms Magdalena Wdowin and Magdalena Tyszer (MEERI PAS, Poland), who emphasised the importance of bilateral cooperation in geothermal energy development. Project has been driven by Beata Kępińska and MEERI PAS team, Baldur Pétursson and Alicja Wiktoria Stoklosa in the National Energy Authority.

Round Table Meeting at Green by Iceland, in Gróska Business Center.

This would not happen without cooperation with Wojciech Łysik, Piotr Bogusz and the Ministry of Environment and Climate team in Poland, who strongly advocate for the ministry to join the exceptional team for the study visit in Iceland.  The project has enhanced bilateral cooperation, bringing together ministries, municipalities, and businesses in both countries. Due to geothermal projects’ technical, legal, and financial complexities, these initiatives have facilitated capacity building, knowledge sharing, networking, and cooperation in business partnerships. Therefore, these factors highlight the importance of such projects for long-term collaboration between Poland and Iceland in geothermal energy. "The cooperation between Poland and Iceland in the field of geothermal energy should continue to grow. Thanks to this collaboration, Poland has been able to train specialists, enhance competencies — particularly among local governments — and encourage increased investments in this renewable energy source," said Krzysztof Galos, Polish Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment.

The key outcomes of the meeting highlighted the need to strengthen Poland’s engagement with the GEOTHERMICA Initiative, allowing access to European geothermal research networks and funding mechanisms. Participants recognised the value of leveraging Iceland’s expertise in district heating to develop efficient, scalable models that can be implemented in Polish municipalities.

Visit at Veitur district heating in Reykjavik

Additionally, discussions emphasised the importance of aligning regulatory frameworks to facilitate geothermal energy deployment in Poland, ensuring a streamlined permitting process and increased investor confidence. The meeting also fostered an interest in expanding research collaboration through Rannís and European funding programs, reinforcing the importance of knowledge exchange, financial cooperation, and policy adaptation to support Poland’s geothermal energy transition. The session concluded with a shared commitment to continued collaboration at the governmental, municipal, and industry levels, setting the foundation for future joint initiatives.

Geothermal greenhouse Lambhagi in Mosfellsbær.

Among the key visits on February 11, the Reykjavik Geothermal District Heating study tour began with a morning session at Green by Iceland in Groska Business Hub, where discussions centered on geothermal research, investment strategies, and financing mechanisms. This was followed by a visit to Mosfellsbær geothermal greenhouse Lambhagi, where officials observed firsthand how geothermal energy supports sustainable agriculture.

Later, the delegation toured the Veitur district heating system, a company specialising in district heating and the direct use of geothermal energy. The system demonstrated the efficiency of Iceland’s geothermal heating infrastructure and its potential applications in Poland.

Visit to CarbFix borehole at Hellisheiði geothermal area

At Orkuveita Reykjavíkur headquarters (Reykjavik Energy), Harpa Petursdottir, Director of New Energy and Heimir Tryggvason,specialist in innovation and technology development, engaged discussions focused on expanding district heating networks and developing new geothermal wells to meet future energy needs. The day concluded with a meeting at the newly established Environment and Energy Agency (UOS), where officials engaged in in-depth discussions on regulatory frameworks, permitting processes, and best practices for integrating geothermal energy into national energy policies.

On the second day, the South Coast Geothermal Exploration began. The delegation then toured Geothermal Park ON, at Hellisheiði —Industrial and Innovation Park, gaining insights into Iceland’s integration of geothermal energy into industrial applications.

A site visit to Selfossveitur—Selfoss District Heating allowed Polish officials to examine how smaller municipalities implement geothermal heating systems successfully. The group then visited the Friðheimar greenhouse system, a prime example of geothermal energy supporting sustainable food production.

Sample of CO2 turned into stone within 2 years.

The day concluded with a networking session at the Friðheimar tomato farm in Flúðir, where Polish and Icelandic stakeholders discussed ways to strengthen future collaboration in geothermal development.

Visit to Friðheimar Greenhouse 

Policy and regulatory frameworks – lessons from Iceland

An element of the visit was learning from Iceland’s successful regulatory framework. By studying Iceland’s policy approach, Polish officials explored ways to develop supportive policies for geothermal energy, including permitting processes, financial incentives, and risk mitigation strategies to accelerate Poland’s transition to sustainable heating solutions. The delegation also met with representatives from the GEOTHERMICA Initiative, reinforcing Poland’s growing interest in aligning with the European geothermal research and development network. By leveraging existing frameworks and strategic support, Poland aims to enhance its international collaboration in geothermal energy and further integrate into multinational innovation and funding programs by 2025. 

Visit to Selfossveitur

The Role of the GEOTHERMICA Initiative

The delegation also met with representatives from the GEOTHERMICA Initiative, reinforcing Poland’s growing interest in aligning with the European geothermal research and development network. By leveraging existing frameworks and strategic support, Poland aims to enhance its international collaboration in geothermal energy and further integrate into multinational innovation and funding programs by 2025.

"By aligning with the GEOTHERMICA Initiative, the project leverages existing frameworks and strategic support to foster international cooperation in geothermal energy. This alignment enhances the project's feasibility and potential for impact and transnational cooperation of the European public authorities," stated Alicja Stoklosa, the Lead of GEOTHERMICA Initiatives Office.

The initiative provides a structured platform for knowledge-sharing, innovation, and investment in geothermal energy, supporting Poland, Iceland, and other European partners in expanding their geothermal capabilities.

Stronger future in geothermal deployment cooperation

Following the three days of discussions, officials outlined several next steps to strengthen Poland-Iceland geothermal cooperation further:

• Integrating Icelandic policy insights into Poland’s geothermal development strategy.
• Expanding funding opportunities through EEA grants and European programs.
• Enhancing research collaboration between Polish and Icelandic institutions.
• Developing a long-term roadmap for geothermal deployment, aligning with EU energy goals.

This continued bilateral partnership between Poland and Iceland highlights the growing role of geothermal energy in Europe’s clean energy transition and the importance of international cooperation in achieving climate goals. The study tour and policy discussions marked a new phase in Poland-Iceland geothermal cooperation, solidifying mutual commitments to energy security, climate action, and sustainable development. With the increased global focus on renewable energy, Poland’s collaboration with Iceland is a model for international partnerships in geothermal energy, demonstrating how knowledge exchange and strategic cooperation can accelerate the clean energy transition.

 Polish delegation and Icelandic partners

The coordinators of the projects Beata Kępińska MEERI PAS and Baldur Petursson Environmental and Energy Agency highlighted that - it has been enjoyable and constructive to be able to coordinate once more, a project on geothermal energy between Poland and Iceland, with contribution towards more clean, secure and geothermal future based on cooperation between these countries. Finally, we want to thank Alicja Stokłosa for managing the project, and all participants, ministers and all others for enjoyable and constructive cooperation, hoping for more productive geothermal projects and cooperation between Poland and Iceland.

Photographs: B. Petursson (UOS), M. Tyszer, A. Kasztelewicz (MEERI PAS)

Published: February 2025
By: Baldur Petursson – UOS, Aleksandra Kasztelewicz – MEERI PAS