Arverne's High-Stakes Bet on France's Geothermal and Lithium Future

PAU, France – March 25, 2026 – Arverne Group, France's leading geothermal energy specialist, has reported a year of explosive growth and strategic investment, positioning itself at the heart of the nation's push for energy sovereignty. The company announced a 46% surge in gross business volume for 2025, reaching €25.2 million, yet this aggressive expansion came at a cost, with net losses widening to -€23.6 million as it pours capital into ambitious geothermal heat and lithium extraction projects.

The results paint a clear picture of a company in a high-stakes growth phase, prioritizing long-term strategic goals over short-term profitability. This vision is central to the company's role in the European energy transition.

"Driven by a collective commitment to French and European energy sovereignty, through the development of geothermal heat and geothermal lithium, Arverne is creating sustainable value in support of local communities and the energy transition," stated Pierre Brossollet, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Arverne, in the company's annual report.

The Price of Ambition

A deeper dive into Arverne's 2025 financials reveals a calculated strategy of heavy investment. While consolidated revenue grew a healthy 27% to nearly €18 million, the company's net loss more than doubled from -€11.1 million in 2024. This increase is not a sign of operational failure but rather a direct consequence of its ambitious expansion plans.

Key drivers of the increased loss include a 62.2% jump in capitalized production, largely for the initial drilling campaign of its flagship "Lithium de France" project. Personnel expenses also rose by 22.2% as the company expanded its headcount by nearly 29% to 216 employees to manage its growing portfolio. The company invested a total of €38.6 million in 2025, primarily directed towards its critical metals and drilling equipment divisions. Despite the cash burn, Arverne maintains a solid financial footing with €158.8 million in equity and €78 million in cash and cash equivalents, signaling that its investment-heavy approach is a planned phase.

Unlocking Europe's White Gold from Underground

The centerpiece of Arverne's investment strategy is the "Lithium de France" project in the Alsace region, a venture that could prove pivotal for Europe's electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. In 2025, the project successfully entered its pre-industrial phase, achieving several key milestones.

Drilling of the first deep geothermal well began in November 2025 and was completed three months later, a critical step to validate the geological potential. A pilot plant utilizing innovative Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology was also installed on-site. DLE represents a paradigm shift from traditional lithium mining; it extracts the critical mineral directly from hot geothermal brines, which are then reinjected underground. This method promises a 70% reduction in carbon emissions and uses up to 90% less water compared to conventional open-pit mines and evaporation ponds, while also generating carbon-free geothermal heat as a byproduct.

The project's long-term goal is to produce 27,000 tonnes of lithium annually, enough to supply batteries for approximately 800,000 electric vehicles. This ambition has attracted significant backing. Norwegian energy major Equinor invested €40 million through its venture arm, and Arverne consolidated its control, increasing its ownership stake in Lithium de France to 73.8%. Critically, the project was selected to receive France's Green Industry Investment Tax Credit (C3IV), providing a tax credit of up to €150 million and underscoring its national strategic importance.

Powering Cities with Geothermal Heat

While lithium captures headlines, Arverne's Heating & Cooling division is steadily transforming the energy landscape of French cities. The company is a key player in the Île-de-France region, a global hub for geothermal district heating, where it is leveraging the vast potential of the Dogger aquifer.

In 2025, Arverne completed major drilling operations for Groupe ADP at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which will now cover 35% of the site's heating needs and prevent 19,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Another flagship project for aerospace giant Safran in Villaroche will cover 84% of that industrial site's energy needs.

The company also secured its first public service concession in a consortium to develop a low-carbon district heating network for the towns of Clichy-sous-Bois and Livry-Gargan, a project that will supply 115 GWh of heat to the equivalent of 12,000 homes. With a portfolio of nearly 100 deep geothermal projects representing 5 TWh of potential, Arverne is solidifying its leadership in replacing fossil fuels for urban heating.

A National Strategy for Green Industry

Arverne's activities are closely aligned with France's broader strategy to reindustrialize and decarbonize its economy. The C3IV tax credit, from which the Lithium de France project benefits, is a cornerstone of this policy. The French government expects the program to generate €23 billion in investment and create 40,000 direct jobs by 2030, positioning France as a European leader in green technology manufacturing.

The company's "mission-driven" status is backed by tangible results. In 2025, Arverne reported a 6% reduction in its carbon intensity and tripled its volume of avoided emissions. An internal survey also revealed high employee engagement, with 89% of staff reporting satisfaction.

With its dual focus on providing renewable heat and securing a domestic supply of a critical raw material, Arverne is executing a complex but potentially transformative strategy. The company has announced it will unveil its detailed strategic plan and long-term financial outlook at a Capital Market Day on March 26, 2026, an event that will be closely watched by investors and policymakers eager to see the next phase of France's green energy bet.