- Geological Survey Ireland to image deep beneath Dublin city to explore geothermal energy potential
Geological Survey Ireland, a part of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, has announced a new initiative to collect geothermal information from deep beneath Dublin city. The Dublin Seismic Survey project will use non-invasive geophysical technology to create an image of the subsurface up to three kilometres beneath our feet. The data from the survey will provide valuable information for assessing the potential of clean, secure and renewable geothermal heat beneath the capital.
The Dublin Seismic Survey was announced at the flagship 'European Geothermal District Heating and Cooling Days 2026' event. The conference gathers experts from across Europe to discuss the future of geothermal heating and cooling for European energy markets.
Speaking at the event, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien, said:
'I am delighted to welcome initiatives such as the Dublin Seismic Survey, which will help us to understand how much deep geothermal energy is available beneath our feet. Dublin city has some of the highest heat demand in the country and is a prime area for the roll out of district heating networks that can serve the many hospitals, schools, universities, and housing developments that coexist here. So far, the area also looks to be very promising for deep geothermal energy, which could be a very stable and secure part of our future energy systems. Geothermal district heating – using geothermal heat pumps or high temperature deep geothermal heat – represents an exciting opportunity to increase our use of renewable heat while enhancing our energy security and taking pressure off the grid.'
Director of Geological Survey Ireland Koen Verbruggen said:
'This is a hugely important project, in which we can apply a non-intrusive technique – that has been successfully applied across many European towns and cities – to the developing area of deep geothermal energy. The seismic survey will effectively allow us to 'see' the structures and geology beneath our feet and help us to understand the potential for a deep source of renewable heat that can allow us to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.'
Potential of district heating – from geothermal energy
District heating (and cooling), sourced from local shallow and deep geothermal energy, offers a viable solution to contribute to our renewable energy targets by decarbonising the heating and cooling sector, whilst improving energy security by reducing the need for energy imports in Ireland.
Deep geothermal technologies have a long tradition of use in many parts of Europe and there is recognised significant potential for market growth in the upcoming years, including in Ireland.
Role of the Dublin Seismic Survey
While Ireland's shallow geothermal resources are widespread and well understood, the Dublin Seismic Survey will provide essential data on the deep bedrock beneath the city and its geothermal resource potential. The survey will reduce uncertainty for deep geothermal projects across Dublin city and will immediately provide critical data for the planned deep geothermal drilling at Grangegorman under the separately funded GEMINI Project.
Use of seismic reflection surveys across Europe
A seismic reflection survey is a standard geophysical method widely used in towns and cities across Europe and internationally. It allows scientists to 'see' underground rock layers without excavation.
A request for tenders from experienced contractors has been published, and the survey is expected to take place in early 2027. The final route for the survey will be published in late 2026. Up to date information is available on the project website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/dublin-seismic-survey-project/
The Dublin Seismic Survey will demonstrate best practice in urban data collection for deep geothermal developments and will help researchers to quantify the deep geothermal energy resource beneath this area of high heat demand. The results of this work can be extrapolated to other parts of Ireland and will help us to understand the full potential of geothermal energy to decarbonise our heating and cooling needs.
Source: Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment - Ireland
