Research Associate
University of Oxford
Mehmet Metehan Ciftci is part of the ReSET project at the University of Oxford, that looks at the role that magmatic systems, such as those beneath volcanoes, can play in enabling the energy transition. He holds a PhD from the University College London Institute for Sustainable Resources. His key research themes include environmental justice, the resource curse and associated conflicts, as well as critical minerals and material circularity. Prior to joining UCL, he completed his MSc in International Political Economy at the London School of Economics and Political Science and his BA in International Relations at Galatasaray University.
From Montserrat to Central Asia: What a Small Island Teaches Us About Big Transitions in Geothermal and Critical Minerals
Insights from Montserrat’s geothermal journey offer an instructive counterpoint to rapidly scaling geothermal-mineral projects envisioned for Central Asia. Across interviews and policy discussions, Montserrat reveals how governance gaps, unclear regulatory regimes, and capacity constraints can delay or derail even technically sound projects despite strong political interest. Interviewees repeatedly emphasise the importance of robust, hybrid contractual models, realistic local content expectations, and transparent decision-making to build investor confidence and prevent political volatility from undermining long-term commitments . Economic considerations are equally salient: high upfront drilling costs, limited grid demand, and dependence on external finance shape what kinds of geothermal-mineral initiatives are feasible in small jurisdictions . Montserrat’s experience underscores that scalable technology alone is insufficient; institutional design, procurement competence, community trust, and regulatory clarity ultimately determine project viability. These lessons provide a critical lens for thinking through Central Asia’s potential transition from hydrocarbons to geothermal-linked critical mineral production.