May 5, 2025 by Carlos Cariaga, ThinkGeoEnergy
Iceland prepares major delegation for WGC 2026 in Calgary, highlighting its geothermal expertise, pavilion presence, and role as Official Country Partner.
Hellisheidi geothermal plant (source: Green by Iceland)
Iceland will take on a central role at the World Geothermal Congress (WGC) 2026 in Calgary, Canada, as Official Country Partner, supported by a large national delegation and a dedicated pavilion presence. Coordinated by Green by Iceland as Platinum Sponsor, the delegation is expected to bring together around 100 geothermal experts and close to 20 participating entities.
The scale of participation positions Iceland among the most visible national contributors at the global event.
The World Geothermal Congress, organized by the International Geothermal Association (IGA), is the flagship event of the global geothermal community. This year’s WGC will be held in Calgary, Canada on 8 to 11 June 2026.
Geothermal gaining relevance in energy systems
The strong Icelandic presence comes at a time when geothermal energy is gaining renewed attention. As countries seek reliable and low-carbon energy solutions, geothermal is increasingly seen as a stable complement to intermittent renewables.
In particular, the role of geothermal in providing baseload power and supporting the decarbonisation of heat is becoming more relevant. This shift is driving interest in countries and companies with proven experience in developing and operating geothermal systems.
Iceland at WGC 2026
At WGC 2026, Iceland’s participation will be anchored by a national pavilion that will serve as a hub for meetings, presentations, and networking throughout the congress.
The delegation will represent a broad cross-section of the geothermal value chain, including expertise in:
exploration and resource assessment
drilling and well services
engineering and project development
power generation and utility operations
This breadth reflects the structure of Iceland’s geothermal sector, where collaboration across disciplines has supported long-term development. More details on the members of the Icelandic delegation are available here.
In addition to the exhibition presence, Icelandic participants are expected to contribute to a range of sessions and side events. These include a high-level flagship event focused on climate and energy systems, as well as discussions on direct use applications and investment frameworks. Click here for details on the Icelandic side events.
An established geothermal system
Iceland remains one of the few countries to have developed geothermal resources at scale and integrated them across both power generation and district heating. Decades of experience across exploration, development, and operations have shaped a mature ecosystem of companies and institutions.
Looking ahead to Calgary
With geothermal energy becoming more prominent in global energy discussions, WGC 2026 will provide a platform for exchange between established and emerging markets.
Iceland’s role as Official Country Partner underlines its continued engagement in international geothermal development. The size and composition of its delegation are expected to contribute to discussions on how geothermal can support energy security and decarbonisation efforts.
In the coming weeks, ThinkGeoEnergy will highlight selected elements of Iceland’s geothermal ecosystem and feature key participants ahead of WGC 2026.