* 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
Remscheid, 18 June 2026 – 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.
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.