PEACEPLUS Funding for Green Energy

The aim of this unique investment is to promote energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland through increased awareness and uptake of geothermal technologies for heat production.

Heat production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonisation of heat is central to the EU, UK and Irish strategies to meet the 2050 net zero Green House Gas emission targets. Research has shown that meeting this goal will require renovation and retrofit of energy efficiency measures and renewable heating in buildings, alongside increased use of energy from renewable sources.

The funding has been awarded to a multi-partner project entitled GEMINI: Geothermal Energy Momentum on the Island of Ireland. The project is made up of fourteen organisations from both sides of the border, led by Codema.

The GEMINI project will, for the first time on the island, develop a joint approach to a renewable technology on a cross-border basis.

GEMINI will demonstrate and promote the uptake of efficient, renewable, low-carbon, secure and affordable geothermal energy at 5 locations, three in Northern Ireland, one in border region of Ireland, and one in Dublin.

The project aims to accelerate shallow geothermal energy uptake by removing barriers to the development of shallow geothermal. It intends to increase the uptake of Ground Source Heat Pumps, which would reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase awareness of geothermal, improve energy efficiency and increase fuel security.

The project will support advances towards a sustainable future by reducing emissions and imports of fossil fuels through the development of Deep Geothermal Energy on the island of Ireland. Geothermal offers the island an opportunity to extract a natural resource currently not used on the island and reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, while reducing emissions.

Welcoming today’s announcement,

Dept for the Economy Minister Conor Murphy MLA said: 

“I welcome the launch of GEMINI, the first cross-border geothermal project. I have been clear that my intention is to deliver a just transition towards net-zero and it is a central pillar to my economic vision. Decarbonisation projects like GEMINI are key to increasing our levels of renewable energy.

"Geothermal is a natural heat source and can help tackle the hard to decarbonise heating sector through regulated heat networks. It will also be a driver toward establishing a self-sufficient, stable, and affordable energy market. 

“GEMINI is also a great example of how an all-island approach to decarbonisation has the potential to deliver huge economic opportunities that can generate good jobs, improve productivity and address regional imbalance.”

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Mr. Eamon Ryan, T.D., said:

“The GEMINI project complements the Irish Government’s July 2023 ‘Policy Statement on Geothermal Energy for a Circular Economy’, which sets out the broad approach to be adopted in regulating the exploration for, and the utilisation of, geothermal energy as a natural resource and the scope of a strategy to promote the sustainable development of Ireland’s geothermal resources to decarbonise the heating and cooling of buildings and for industrial uses and power generation.

"Geothermal energy potential is based on geological conditions, which cross-cut political borders. The GEMINI project will deepen my Department’s already excellent collaboration with Northern Ireland colleagues and promote alignment in policy, regulation, research, and business activity. Development of joint education, skills and training frameworks will ensure that accreditation of businesses and installers, drillers, etc., is recognised both North and South, creating seamless access to markets and the necessary supply of technical expertise.

"I look forward to the real impact the GEMINI project’s outputs will have on the development of the geothermal energy sector on the island of Ireland and on climate action and energy security for our communities.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said:

“We are delighted to provide funding for such an important project, which utilises our natural resources safely and sustainable to enhance energy production. Promoting renewable, greener energy is one of the most important ways to create a better future for everyone on this island.

"This investment will protect our natural environment which is critical to every citizen's future well-being, economic and social opportunities. It will make this a more attractive place to live, work, socialise, invest in and visit.

"This is an industry in which local organisations and business can make a regional and global impact and we are proud to support this important sector.”

Today’s statement follows the announcement last month of €165m of PEACEPLUS funding to support sustainable travel across the island of Ireland through investment in the cross-border Enterprise Train service.

The PEACEPLUS Programme has been designed to promote peace and prosperity across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, and has a total value of €1.14 billion, to be delivered over the next five years. The Programme will support a wide range of sectors including health and social care, the protection of the environment, rural regeneration, smart towns and villages, local regeneration and mental health services.

PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive.