Geothermal energy: A sustainable and cost-effective alternative for clean energy production and climate change mitigation

Geothermal energy presents a promising solution to the global energy crisis, offering sustainable and low-carbon power generation. Growing interest in decarbonization and energy security motivates the assessment of geothermal energy’s viability compared to other renewable sources. This study hypothesizes that geothermal systems provide superior efficiency, environmental performance, and long-term economic benefits. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA framework, covering database search, screening criteria, data extraction, bibliometric analysis, and visualization. Findings indicate geothermal systems achieve capacity factors up to 95 %, emit significantly less CO₂ than fossil fuels, and offer long-term savings despite high initial investment. Case studies from Iceland and Kenya confirm successful deployment and environmental co-benefits. The study concludes that with enhanced policy support and investment in technologies like enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), geothermal energy can play a critical role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and supporting the clean energy transition. Moreover, Geothermal energy also holds significant potential when integrated with other renewables, contributing to the reliability and economic optimization of hybrid energy systems.