Iceland took centre stage at GeoTHERM Expo & Congress 2026 in Offenburg as the event’s official Guest Country, demonstrating Iceland’s capabilities in geothermal energy and the broader renewable energy sector.
GEORG Geothermal Research Cluster organized and led the Icelandic delegation , which consisted of leading companies in the geothermal energy sector, public institutions, and research organisations. The expertise of the Icelandic delegation spanned research, resource development, engineering, and implementation of geothermal energy.
Throughout the event, Iceland’s participation attracted significant attention from international stakeholders, and reinforced Iceland’s position as a trusted partner in the global energy transition. The Icelandic participants provided a clear demonstration of how close collaboration between industry, academia, and government continues to drive innovation and scalable solutions.
At the heart of this effort was GEORG, playing a central role in coordinating the Icelandic presence at GeoTHERM. By bringing together key actors across the ecosystem, Iceland’s technological excellence and collaborative model underpinning Iceland’s success was highlighted.
The outcomes of GeoTHERM 2026 extend well beyond visibility. The event served as a platform for strengthening relationships with European partners, opening new avenues for collaboration, and initiating discussions that are expected to translate into concrete projects in the coming months. Interest in Icelandic expertise was particularly strong in areas where geothermal energy intersects with broader energy systems, reflecting a growing demand for integrated and flexible solutions.
Importantly, Iceland’s presence in Offenburg also marked a transition point in the evolution of its energy innovation ecosystem. The ongoing merger between GEORG and the Iceland Renewable Energy Cluster (Orkuklasinn) will create a stronger platform for the sector. This unified organisation will combine GEORG’s strength in international research cooperation and project leadership with Orkuklasinn’s established network in industry collaboration and business development. As outlined in recent communications, the new entity will enhance operational capacity while maintaining continuity in ongoing projects and partnerships.
The timing of this transition underscores a broader strategic ambition: to strengthen Iceland’s role as a global hub for renewable energy innovation. By aligning research, industry, and policy within a single framework, the new organisation will be better positioned to engage in international programmes, including Horizon Europe, and to support the development and deployment of advanced energy solutions.
Acknowledgement
GEORG extends its sincere appreciation to the partners who contributed to Iceland’s success at GeoTHERM 2026. Their expertise, collaboration, and commitment were instrumental in presenting a strong and unified Icelandic presence:
Umhverfis- og orkustofnun (Icelandic Environment and Energy Agency), Iceland Renewable Energy Cluster, Iceland Drilling Company Ltd, EFLA Consulting Engineers, ÍSOR (Iceland GeoSurvey), Arctic Green Engineering Services, Arctic Green Energy, Green by Iceland, Baseload Power Iceland, Landsvirkjun, Krafla Magma Testbed (KMT), and FlexDrill GmbH.
