Geothermal energy provides reliable baseload power but also presents important environmental and social risks. Depending on the system, geothermal plants release or reinject water and steam, affecting local ecosystems, air quality, and water resources.
SEA helps identify and manage these risks early—such as land use change, biodiversity impacts, water contamination, hydrogen sulfide emissions, community displacement, and impacts on Indigenous lands. It also highlights safety, labor, and gender concerns during construction. By engaging stakeholders and identifying areas to avoid, SEA supports geothermal development that balances renewable energy goals with environmental protection and social responsibility.
9.1 Why SEA is Important to Geothermal Power
9.2 Existing SEA Guidance/Guidelines for the Geothermal Energy Sub-Sector
9.3 Geothermal Energy Installed Capacity
9.4 Background to Geothermal Energy Generation
9.5 Impacts of Geothermal Energy Development
Geothermal energy is a renewable source of power that uses heat from deep inside the Earth to generate electricity. Unlike solar or wind power, geothermal energy is available all the time, making it a reliable energy source. There are different types of geothermal plants, and each one works by converting underground heat into electricity. Some plants release water and steam into the air, while others put it back underground, which affects the environment in different ways.
Uses steam directly from a geothermal reservoir to turn generator turbines.
Takes high-pressure hot water from deep underground and converts it to steam that drives turbines.
Transfers heat from geothermal hot water to another liquid with a lower boiling point, producing vapor that drives a turbine
Combines features of multiple geothermal technologies to optimize performance.
Many geothermal resources are located in remote or environmentally sensitive areas, which heightens the potential impacts. While geothermal energy produces much fewer greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, some plants can release harmful gases like hydrogen sulfide and small amounts of mercury, which can affect local air quality. Geothermal plants also use a lot of water, which can be a problem in dry areas. Building these plants often requires clearing land and building roads, which can harm local wildlife and damage habitats, especially in forests. In some places, geothermal development has also been linked to small, localized seismic events.
Geothermal energy projects can also have impacts on local communities. Sometimes, people are forced to move, or their livelihoods are disrupted. There can also be social issues, like increased tensions and risks of violence due to the influx of workers during construction. However, geothermal energy also brings positive changes, like new jobs and improved infrastructure. In some areas, geothermal energy has helped local businesses and farmers, and it can benefit indigenous communities when managed well.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) helps governments and planners identify environmental and socio-economic risks early in the development of policies, plans, and programs (PPPs) for bioenergy. Key risks include land-use change, deforestation, water demand, pollution, and loss of habitats and biodiversity, especially when large areas are converted to monoculture energy crops. These changes can reduce land available for food production, raise food prices, and put pressure on rural communities.