Summary
This consultation seeks views on proposals to introduce a new statutory framework for the regulation of geothermal energy in Northern Ireland.
Documents
- Consultation document - Proposals for Geothermal Regulation
- Privacy Notice - Proposals for Geothermal Regulation Consultation
- S75 Equality Screening for Geothermal Regulation Consultation
Consultation description
The objective is to establish clear legislation to govern how geothermal resources are accessed, used and managed, supporting the development of the sector while ensuring appropriate subsurface oversight and regulatory controls.
Key elements of the proposals include:
- The introduction of a licensing regime for geothermal developments, with requirements scaled according to the size, depth and complexity of projects,
- The establishment of regulatory oversight by the Department for the Economy, supported by technical assessment from the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland,
- The introduction of data reporting and transparency measures, including publication of information on applications, decisions and system performance.
The consultation also aims to gather views on how these proposals should be implemented, including the scope of licensing, the design of regulatory processes, and the approach to ownership and access to geothermal resources.
Responses will inform the development of final policy proposals and future legislation for geothermal energy in Northern Ireland.