Understanding and evaluating operator engagement ethos and practices: Examples from the UK Deep Geothermal Sector

Background To be fair and inclusive, a net zero transition must combine technological roll out with enabling communities to be part of energy decision-making. Whilst participation in the energy system can take many forms, the siting and implementation of renewable energy infrastructure is one area with great potential for improving fairness and inclusivity. In the UK, one nascent renewable energy technology is geothermal energy. The purpose of our study is to understand how the geothermal industry is approaching engagement, in a nation where little geothermal development or research on the industry’s engagement practices has occurred. Results Using qualitative interviews at three geothermal energy sites, we uncover how UK geothermal energy operators seemingly hold an ethos characterized by honesty, trust, and relationship-building. We find that this ethos underpins good practices of community engagement, such as approachability, accessibility, flexibility, and two-way communication with communities. We also observe how operators are proactive in their engagement activities and responsive to queries from local communities. This denotes a commitment to engagement, which local communities value. Conclusions Our results provide early analysis of engagement practices in the UK geothermal industry and offer a model for good practice in community engagement around geothermal energy. Guided by an ethics of care towards communities, operators can routinely go beyond the minimal requirements of planning regarding engagement. This allows them to listen to communities’ concerns and act on them, and maintain a dialogue between different stakeholders. There is a need for policy instruments to support this and formalize higher requirements for engagement in energy projects.