Kosice, Slovakia geothermal project classified as national priority project

Kosice, Slovakia (source: flickr/ Jordi Masagué, creative commons)

The Slovakia Program for the Just Transformation Fund has decided in favor of a proposal to classify the geothermal energy project in the Kosice Basin as a national priority project. With this decision, the project can receive funding of EUR 56.1 million with the goal of supplying geothermal heat to the Kosice region by 2026.

The proposal made by Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization Peter Balík was decided on by the Monitoring Committee of the Commission for the Just Transformation Fund during its meeting held in 12 July 2023. The Just Transformation Fund is part of the Slovakia Program and serves to help in the transition of regions to a greener economy. The fund has a total allocation of EUR 441 million.

“This unique project solves the acute problem of Slovakia’s dependence on the import of fossil fuels and their use in the heating industry. It will support the use of renewable energy sources, which we have committed to as a member of the European Union in the context of the energy and climate crisis,” said Minister Balik.

The Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic (MIRRI SR) has been working with other partners in the past two years to support the development of the geothermal potential of Kosice. “Today, when people are worried about rising energy prices, we come up with a concrete solution that is strategic and ecological. We will significantly limit the burning of fossil fuels and households in Košice will have heat from a nearby geothermal well. Slovakia must use its natural energy resources to a greater extent and thus strengthen its energy self-sufficiency,” added the Minister.

The allocated fund will have to be applied for by the project developer MH Teplarensky Holding with the participation of partner GEOTERM KOSICE. We had first reported on the plans for the Kosice heating plant back in 2021. The total cost for the project has been estimated at EUR 88 million.

The Kosice geothermal resource is believed to be the largest in Slovakia. This is supported by good data considering that three exploratory wells has already been drilled in the area. The resource can generate heat to supply 171,000 customers and offset up to 54,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year. The geothermal project is also expected to provide residual heat for agriculture, recreational, and other purposes in the village along the 15-kilometer route of the heat pipe.

“We have known about the geothermal resource near Košice for more than two decades, but unfortunately we have not been able to use its potential until now. That is why it was an absolute priority for me to make the green and sustainable energy project a reality. Today we are closer to fulfilling our dream of ecological heat for our city than ever before. Košice is becoming a Slovak leader in the use of geothermal energy, thanks to all those who were willing to listen, discuss and finally act,” commented Kosice Mayor Jaroslav Polacek.

Earlier this year, an amendment to Slovakia’s “Act on Heating” was proposed to to simplify the construction of heating infrastructure that taps into geothermal and other renewable heat sources.

Source: MIRRI SR and Kosice Online