June 18, 2026
* Think tank makes economic case
for EU to embrace geothermal, hydropower, and nuclear
power
* Analysis shows potential to shift these
sources from baseload to dispatchable energy
*
New poll shows how the prospect of living near different
energy technologies divides the German public, highlighting
how to shape messages about clean firm power for different
voter segments
The EU’s rapid and accelerating
buildup of solar and wind energy must complemented by clean
firm power and long duration energy storage to deliver
affordable and zero-carbon electricity, according to a report
published today by climate innovation think tank Future
Cleantech Architects (FCA).
Launched
at the Future Cleantech
Festival in Remscheid, the report comes as Europe faces
rising energy demand from electrification, industry, and
data centers, while also working to reduce fossil fuel
dependence and lower energy costs.
The report is
accompanied by new public opinion data from Project
Tempo on attitudes toward energy technologies. Results
from a representative survey of over 4000 Germans conducted
in May 2026 show voters support building solar power and
geothermal plants in their own region — with 65% of
Germans supporting more solar and 45% supporting more
geothermal. Geothermal energy stands out for having support
at broadly similar levels from voters across the full
spectrum of political parties. When it comes to nuclear and
onshore wind projects, voters in Europe’s largest economy
are split alongside partisan lines.
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Wind and solar
would have the potential to meet most electricity demand
during much of the year. However, Europe also needs flexible
zero-carbon electricity generation for periods when wind and
solar output are low and when batteries are already
discharged. Next-generation geothermal, hydropower, and
nuclear power can help close this gap.
“There are no
cheaper forms of electricity when the sun is shining and the
wind is blowing,” said Dr. Antoine Koen of Future
Cleantech Architects. “Yet it is unrealistic to try and
build enough overcapacity of wind and solar to cover
infrequent yet crucial periods over several days when they
produce nearly no energy at all. Europe needs to complement
variable renewables by building clean firm power at scale
and at speed.”
Clean Firm Power
Technologies
To address these gaps, the
report prioritizes three key
technologies:
- Next-generation geothermal
energy: Drawing on existing capacities in the oil
and gas industry, Europe’s geothermal could unlock
technical potential equivalent to 35 times its current total
installed electricity capacity of all types. The same
technology can also be used to directly provide heat for
industry processes and district
heating. - Hydropower is a low-cost,
flexible energy resource, already widely utilized in Europe.
It should modernize, with existing fleets upgraded and
expanded where effective. - Nuclear
power can provide high levels of reliable
electricity, as well as industrial heat, whether through
conventional or Small Modular Reactors
(SMRs).
These technologies should be part of a
portfolio alongside long-duration energy storage. FCA
broadly rejects other technologies, such as carbon capture
and storage (CCS) and bioenergy.
Policy
Recommendations
Markets alone are unlikely to
deploy these capital-intensive technologies at the pace and
scale needed, especially in the early stages of deployment.
FCA calls on EU policymakers to:
- Recognize clean
firm power in decarbonization, energy, and industrial plans,
both as a source of electricity and heat. - Update
capacity mechanisms, auctions, and tenders so clean firm
technologies can compete based on carbon intensity,
reliability, and flexibility. - Expand derisking
instruments, blended finance, and public guarantees for
first-of-a-kind and early commercial projects. - Use
Horizon Europe and the EU Innovation Fund to further support
research, development, and demonstration. - Fast-track
grid interconnection and permitting for clean firm power
projects. - Coordinate Europe-wide deployment to scale
supply chains and lower costs. - Foster social
acceptability by highlighting risk mitigation and successful
projects.
