Accessing Scotland's geothermal resource: regulatory guidance

Introduction

This guidance outlines the regulatory framework for exploring, and exploiting, Scotland’s geothermal resource. It provides a point of reference for those considering undertaking an onshore geothermal project in Scotland. But it is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all legislation relevant to projects involving the exploration and extraction of geothermal heat. This guidance also provides links to relevant legislation and related detailed guides.

We recommend contacting the relevant regulatory authorities from an early plan preparation stage to better understand the potential processes, timescales and likely costs associated with the relevant permission/consent/approval systems. Pre-application discussions, however, do not remove the need for independent legal advice being sought in respect of the potential application of the legislation in specific circumstances.