Abstract: Expanding the scale of development and utilization of shallow geothermal energy is of great significance for energy conservation, emission reduction and sustainable development in China. The investigation and evaluation of shallow geothermal energy in Yinchuan started late. In order to avoid blind exploitation of shallow geothermal energy, the occurrence conditions of shallow geothermal energy and the evaluation of development and utilization potential are important technical support. By identifying the occurrence conditions of shallow geothermal energy in Yinchuan, the suitability zoning of ground source heat pump with buried pipe in the study area was carried out by using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Arcgis software. Finally, the potential of shallow geothermal energy resources was evaluated. The results show that there is no unsuitable area for ground source heat pump with buried pipe in the study area, the most suitable area which is most widely distributed is 1767 km², accounting for 56.04 %. The comparatively area is 1386 km², accounting for 43.96 %. The development potential of ground source heat pump with buried pipes in the study area is huge, the development potential in summer is 42.7 million m²/km², and the development potential in winter is 36.0 million m²/km². Based on the research results, the development and utilization giving suggestions of shallow geothermal energy in the study area were given to provide ideas and basis for the subsequent development and utilization plan.