Aid for a geothermal heat pump will increase to 5.000 euros

This device "must make it possible to produce enough geothermal heat in 15 to 20 years to save 100 TWh / year of gas, more than Russian gas imports before 2022", aims the Minister of Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher.

This is both to support the development of an industrial sector (drilling, production), and projects carried out in particular by individuals.

Thus the aid for the installation of a geothermal heat pump to replace an old thermal boiler will be increased from March to 5.000 euros regardless of income level (compared to 4.000 euros so far for the most modest households and 2.500 euros for the others).

The cost varies greatly depending on the installation, but can greatly exceed 20.000 euros, depending on the work required and the drilling required.

This "boost" can be combined with other support measures. Up to 90% of the total cost of the installation could thus be supported by the State for the most modest households, according to the ministry.

Heating absorbs 50% of the energy consumed in France, and it remains mainly from fossil fuels (fuel oil and gas).

Geothermal energy, which consists of drawing renewable heat from the subsoil linked to the geological functioning of the Earth, represents, on the contrary, only a small fraction of heating.

Ultimately, the government would like to increase the number of deep geothermal projects launched by 40% by 2030, and double the number of geothermal heat pump installations in homes by 2025.

At current energy prices, an average household would save at least 800 euros each year by replacing oil heating and nearly 500 euros by replacing gas heating, according to the ministry's calculations.