The Deep Geothermal Roadmap consultative session has now begun, and the Canadian Deep Geothermal Coalition is meeting and working with representatives of industry, government, and Indigenous groups to develop a strategy for launching geothermal energy in Canada.
The Canadian Deep Geothermal Coalition, with the Cascade Institute acting as Secretariat, is developing this first-ever roadmap for geothermal development in Canada with funding support from Natural Resources Canada.
The Coalition seeks to create the conditions for Canada to develop geothermal projects at home and compete in a rapidly growing global market. To realize this, the Coalition will conduct an in-depth analysis of the most pressing challenges and opportunities. To do this, four working groups will address the following areas:
- Technology: Working group members will provide an overview of technology available to optimize geothermal energy extraction, and identify priorities for R&D, including drilling innovation, surface technologies, and reservoir characterization.
- Finance: This working group will assess how to improve the bankability of projects, reducing financial risks for both private and public investors. The working group will assess existing Canadian financing structures and risk-sharing mechanisms as well as successful international examples.
- Communities: This working group will identify how geothermal projects can earn social support and deliver direct-use benefits for Canadian communities. It will lead Indigenous engagement, co-ownership, and benefit-sharing approaches, and address environmental risks—including water use and induced seismicity—that affect social license.
- Competitiveness: Participants in this working group will identify the market segments and regional strengths Canadian companies should prioritize, including opportunities for Indigenous collaboration. It will also address intellectual property considerations and assess Canada’s regulatory readiness for geothermal development.
The Canadian Deep Geothermal Coalition is grateful to all the industry experts, company leaders, geothermal advocates, and Indigenous leaders who have generously volunteered their time to help shape this document, and shape the future of geothermal in Canada.
Alongside this project, the Canadian Deep Geothermal Coalition will be working with outside organizations to undertake:
- A Global Market Assessment that will estimate the total emerging geothermal market. This market is rapidly expanding as firms and nations rush to electrify the supply of clean, reliable power needed to electrify existing industries and support new industries, such as AI.
- A Canadian Deployment Study will assess the role of geothermal energy in Canada’s energy future. By simulating how geothermal is adopted in Canada’s energy systems, we can understand how it can help to reduce energy prices, boost GDP and productivity, and mitigate climate change.
- A Supply Chain Analysis will assess Canada’s readiness to lead in geothermal development and expertise. The study will develop a detailed inventory of Canada’s globally competitive oil and gas sector to identify where Canada is best positioned to leverage those strengths to lead in rapidly growing geothermal markets.
“This Roadmap will be a geothermal strategy—built for Canada, by Canadians,” said Emily Smejkal, Policy Lead with the Cascade Institute. “It will centre Canadian expertise and challenges, with participation from industry, government, and Indigenous Peoples.”
The Canadian Deep Geothermal Coalition aims to deliver the full roadmap by the end of 2027.
The Canadian Deep Geothermal Coalition, launched in 2025, includes industry, Indigenous organizations, communities, academia, government, and other stakeholders. The Canadian Deep Geothermal Coalition, with the Cascade Institute acting as Secretariat, will lead the development of the roadmap.
For more information on the Roadmap or Cascade’s work in support of it or to arrange interviews, please contact Jax Jacobsen at jax@cascadeinstitute.org.
