The Renewable Energy Association (REA) is putting demand at the centre of its UK geothermal conference on October 13. The day’s big question: who will actually buy the heat and power that geothermal projects can produce. Possible customers range from data centres and farms to heat networks, factories and cooling systems, and the REA wants buyers, backers and policymakers talking to each other.
The conference follows an event the Geothermal Energy Association held in 2025 under the title “Geothermal in the UK – What’s Next?” That association has since merged into the REA, which now runs the conference. The programme has five panels, two fireside chats and a keynote from the Minister for Climate Transition.
Opening and Keynote
Trevor Hutchings, the REA’s chief executive, opens the day alongside Tony Bryan, who chairs the Geothermal Energy Forum and is Development Director at Star Energy, and Neil McLoughlin, the REA’s Senior Geothermal Lead. Katie White OBE MP, Minister for Climate Transition, then sets out the government’s position in a keynote.
Five Panels
Panel 1: Demand – Current State of Play. The first session asks how much appetite for geothermal exists today. Megan Corton of LCEF moderates a panel of Michael Moggerridge of Qvantum Energy, Dr Douglas Parr of Greenpeace UK, Augusta Grand of Eden Geothermal, Perran Moon MP and Emma Fletcher of Octopus Energy.
Panel 2: Devolved and Regional Heating & Energy Policy. Here the focus moves to how decisions taken in the regions and devolved nations affect projects. Dillon Smith of CEN chairs, joined by Simon Todd of Causeway Energies, Dan Griffiths of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, David Townsend of TownRock Energy and Graham Leadbitter MP (SNP).
Panel 3: Financing Geothermal. Money is the subject of the third panel. Jonny Page of GFI moderates, with Ryan Law of Geothermal Engineering Ltd., Sarah Black of Alpha8, Guy Cohen of Currence and Karl Farrow of CeraPhi Energy.
Panel 4: Skills and the UK’s Competitive Edge. The fourth panel asks whether Britain has, or can build, the workforce and expertise to compete. Caroline Caroll of Cornwall Council moderates, with Dr Sam Rushworth MP, who chairs the Geothermal All-Party Parliamentary Group, Michael Chendorain of Arup, Rebecca Nye of WING and Enovate AI, and Ola Zawalna of the Cornwall Mining and Geo-Resources Alliance.
Panel 5: Large Offtakers – MOD, NHS, Airports, Universities & Farming. The last panel hears from big institutions that could anchor demand. Meghan Newman of ADE: Heat Networks moderates, with Adam Freeman of Manchester Airports Group, Prof AbuBakr Bahaj of the University of Southampton, Lt Gen (Retd) Richard Nugee of the Ministerial Taskforce on Climate and Security, and Brian Appleby of the MOD’s Climate, Energy & Environment Directorate.
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Beyond the Panels
Two fireside chats will also introduce a political angle to the event. Andrew Bowie MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, talks to Helen Motwani of the REA about oil and gas jobs and how workers can shift over. Lord Alan Whitehead CBE, a former DESNZ geothermal minister, gives a government perspective in conversation with Trevor Hutchings. Headline sponsors Rob Gardiner of G-Core and Paul Turnbull of GeoDrill present projects in Bristol, Neil McLoughlin gives the closing address, and a drinks reception from 17:45 includes the Geothermal Lifetime Achievement Award.
Put together, the sessions point to four things a young industry needs: customers, supportive regional policy, finance and people with the right skills. By seating funders, local authorities and heavy energy users alongside developers, the REA is betting that these problems are easier to solve together than separately.
The conference will run from 09:00 to 19:00 at The Minster Building, 21 Mincing Lane, London on Tuesday. If you’re interested in attending, tickets can be purchased on REA’s website.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
