Drilling of geothermal research well starts in Gluszyca, Poland

Mayor Roman Glód of Gluszyca, Poland during the ceremonial start of geothermal drilling operations (source: Gluszyca official website)

Drilling has started for a geothermal research well at the commune of Gluszyca in the  Lower Silesian Voivodeship in south-western Poland. The research well, with a planned depth of 2500 meters, aims to confirm the presence of geothermal resource in Gluszyca and whether these can be used for the heating of houses, public buildings, or recreational and agricultural facilities.

The decision to drill a geothermal research well comes after the results of research conducted by experts from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow confirmed the possibility of geothermal resources in the region. Test drilling was then started in August 2023, with results from 13 test wells supporting the decision to drill a deeper research well.

The project is expected to have a total cost of PLN 17.6 million (approx. USD 4.4 million), a major portion of which (PLN 15.4 million) will be subsidized by a grant from the  National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOSiGW). Gluszyca was one of the territories selected for the first round of this grant. A second round has since been announced.

The project will be headed by Multiconsult Polska Sp. z o.o. with Algeo Sp. as the drilling contractor. A Crown 1000 drilling rig had been mobilized to the site in February 2024 and was assembled within 2-3 weeks. Drilling is expected to last a maximum of 6 months.

During the ceremonial start of drilling, Mayor Roman Glód expressed his gratitude for the support of the residents and project partners, and emphasized that the project can play a key role in the new green era for Gluszyca. Dr. Sylwia Bielawska, Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, further said that the geothermal project can generate new jobs for the residents, as well as attract new groups of tourists.

Dr. Bogdan Noga, who is responsible for the geological supervision of the project, cautioned that the rock is particularly hard in this region. “Drilling will last about half a year because we are in a very difficult area. Hard rocks, [so they will not drill easily enough], they will wear out the drills, so you will have to often drive the entire set out and back in”

Source: Official website of G?uszyca and Walbrzych24