Expansion of geothermal heating in Grünwald, Germany to receive federal funding

The Laufzorn geothermal heating plant in Germany (source: EWG)

The ongoing work for the expansion of the geothermal heating network in the municipality of Grünwald in Germany is set to receive EUR 62.3 million of funding from the Federal Ministry of Economics, according to an announcement made by Grünwald Green councilor Ingrid Reinhart. The project is being undertaken by local utility Erdwärme Grünwald (EWG).

The funding will go towards the drilling of new wells to support the expansion of the geothermal heating network. According to plans announced in early 2023, the expansion will entail the drilling of additional wells for two doublets and a new heating plant. Construction work officially started on April 2023.

“Erdwärme Grünwald is planning a second deep borehole. We are investing a total of around 153 million euros in this new borehole,” said EWG Managing Director Andreas Lederle. “The new borehole will enable us to further expand our supply area and use the sustainable and CO2-free treasure beneath our feet to supply heat and energy.” The utility company had also recently signed supply agreements with Buhlmann and Tenaris for the steel casing for the boreholes.

The drilling site in Laufzon II will be prepared in 2024 for a planned start of drilling in 2025 to a target depth of 4000 meters. Construction of surface facilities will then proceed by around 2026 once drilling has been completed. Geothermal energy is expected to be supplied to the expanded district heating network for the 2027 to 2028 heating season.

Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung, Bundesverband Geothermie, and Erdwärme Grünwald