Jorat
The most sovereign energy is the energy beneath your feet.
Geothermal energy. Natural hydrogen for industry and mobility. Helium for medicine, research, and advanced technologies.Switzerland’s first exploration permit to target all three resources within a single programme.
Exploration in progress
Canton of Vaud, Switzerland
March 2026
Natural Hydrogen, Helium & Geothermal
Soil-Gas Survey (Autumn 2026)
Benefits for the region
If exploration confirms viable resources and the project proceeds, natural hydrogen, helium, and geothermal energy could each contribute in different ways to the region’s energy, economic and resource resilience.
ENERGY
Natural hydrogen, as a clean energy carrier, could fuel local mobility and industry.Geothermal heat could also supply locally produced renewable heating and electricity for the region.
DEPENDENCE
Local natural hydrogen and helium could reduce reliance on imports and move Switzerland a step closer to energy sovereignty.
EMISSIONS
Natural hydrogen could lower emissions in transport and industry where it’s used as a fuel.Local geothermal heat could directly replace fossil fuels used for heating, cutting CO₂ emissions.
VALUE
Future development could support local jobs, procurement and economic activity.
Project Timeline
Surface research permit
A de-risking approach, built on three resources
The integrated programme allows the same geological framework to inform the assessment of several potential resources, while exploration progresses in stages to reduce uncertainty before further investment. Each phase is designed to limit environmental impact and cost, in line with Swiss environmental standards and in ongoing dialogue with local communities and authorities.
Why the Jorat region?
The Jorat area was selected for further exploration because several geological and geochemical observations point to the same broad subsurface area. These include a large regional magnetic anomaly, hydrogen measured in deep wells and soil-gas surveys, and regional temperatures of interest for geothermal energy. Hydrogen has already been measured in the region, at surface and in deep wells. The purpose of the current exploration phase is to define the geological system that hosts it (depth, extent and structure), and to establish whether the resources are present in volumes that could be produced and commercialised.
The evidence
The current interpretation is based on several complementary observations:
Taken together, these observations establish that the resources are present in the region. The current exploration programme is designed to map the geological system that hosts them and to assess whether they occur in volumes sufficient for commercial development.
Hydrogen and helium
Natural hydrogen
Unlike most hydrogen used today, which is produced industrially from hydrocarbons or through electrolysis, natural hydrogen (also referred to as geological or white hydrogen) occurs naturally in the subsurface. One of the mechanisms that can generate it is serpentinisation, a reaction between water and iron-rich rocks.
If a recoverable natural hydrogen accumulation were confirmed, its production would avoid the industrial hydrogen-manufacturing step. Its overall environmental footprint would nevertheless depend on how the resource is extracted, processed and transported. Natural hydrogen remains an emerging field of exploration in Europe and is being considered as a potential low-carbon energy source.
Helium
Helium is another naturally occurring resource being investigated alongside hydrogen. Commercial helium is recovered from underground accumulations and is used in applications including medical imaging, electronics and scientific research. In some geological settings, helium can occur together with natural hydrogen and accumulate within the same subsurface structures.
One programme, three resources
At Jorat, hydrogen, helium and geothermal potential are therefore being investigated within the same geological framework. The same geophysical and geological datasets can contribute to assessing all three resources, making the exploration programme more efficient while keeping each resource assessment distinct. At this stage, the objective is to determine whether these resources are present, how they are distributed and whether any accumulation could be technically and economically relevant.
hydrogen
Helium
Potential co-occurrence at depth
Our approach
Exploration activities are conducted in accordance with Swiss environmental standards and geothermal best practices, and are planned in coordination with cantonal authorities, the thirteen municipalities of the permit area, landowners and farmers. The methods used in this phase are non-invasive: soil-gas sampling is carried out on foot, and magnetotelluric and passive seismic instruments only record the natural signals of the Earth. Measures are taken to minimise temporary disturbance, protect sensitive areas and inform those concerned before any field work begins. Throughout the campaign, the project maintains an open dialogue with the authorities, communities and stakeholders concerned.
A proven approach, applied at a larger scale
Exploration builds progressively on existing geological and geophysical knowledge. Each phase is designed to reduce uncertainty before further investment is considered, with new data integrated into an increasingly detailed subsurface model.
Each phase starts from what is already known about the subsurface and adds to it. New data are integrated with the regional record as they come in, so every decision rests on evidence rather than assumption.
Exploration is organised so that uncertainty is reduced before commitment increases. Drilling is only considered once the subsurface has been imaged, modelled and interpreted, and only if the results justify the next step.
The Jorat permit area of 65 km² sits alongside SGE’s Eclépens and La Broye projects. Data acquired across Jorat, Eclépens and La Broye contribute to a broader regional understanding of the subsurface and can inform interpretation across neighbouring project areas.
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