Enel granted Monte Termine geothermal exploration license in Lazio, Italy

Geothermal developer and operator Enel Green Power has been granted a license to conduce geological and geophysical investigations for the geothermal assessment of the Monte Termine project in the Lazio Region in Italy.

The Lazio Region granted the permit to Enel following a proposal submitted in June 2023. Enel proposed conducting the study in two phases:

• Phase 1 – Updating of the conceptual geological geothermal model through an integrated analysis of the data acquired and the collection of any further geological and geophysical information with the aim of improving knowledge of the subsurface;
• Phase 2 – Identification of the best sites for exploratory drilling. Any proposed drilling will be the subject of a new and separate request, accompanied by the necessary documentation, to the competent bodies for the evaluation of the works in relation to the identified areas.

The interest in the Monte Termine area stems from its proximity to areas that have been similarly studied for geothermal exploration in the past. It is inferred that the study area exhibits similar geological and geothermal trends, and so warrants new surface geological and geophysical investigations.

The Monte Termine permit covers  an area of about 94.32 sq. km. encompassing the municipalities of Barbarano Romano, Bassano Romano, Capranica, Oriolo Romano, Sutri, and Vejano in the province of Viterbo and in the municipalities of Bracciano, Canale Monterano, and Manziana in the Metropolitan City of Rome. Part of the investigation area falls within th perimeter of the  Bracciano Martignano Regional Natural Park.

Despite the overlap, the Lazio Region granted the request of Enel to waive the requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) only for Phase 1 of the project. Phase will involve geological and geophysical surveys, conducted by 6-8 people traveling in light vehicles and along existing roads. Thus, the Lazio Region concluded that there will be “no countryside activities foreseen that could interfere with species, habitats, and natural ecosystems.”

Enel Green Power had been in the news lately with a declaration of their plans to invest EUR 3 billion for geothermal development in Italy. However, the investment decision is contingent on the extension of the company’s existing geothermal concessions in Tuscany beyond the 1-year period that had already been granted.

Source: Lazio Regione