“We are delighted by the confidence shown in our consortium by the state government through the granting of the exploration licence. The consortium partners are determined to make a significant contribution to the heating transition in North Rhine-Westphalia,” says Katja Winkler, Geothermal Project Manager at E.ON Business Solutions Germany.
Matthias Ohl, CEO of Iqony’s district heating business, adds: “The Ruhr region is a pioneer in the heat transition. Our new joint project embodies this spirit. Our region has great potential for district heating – it is densely populated, industrialised and full of untapped heat sources. Geothermal energy can be a key pillar of the future’s heat supply. At Iqony, we look forward to working with our partners to explore what further heat potential lies deep beneath our feet.”
First step: an ‘ultrasound scan’ of the Earth
The exploration licence forms the basis for extensive geological surveys designed to examine the region’s geothermal potential in greater detail. In an initial exploration phase, the partners will investigate the geological reservoirs in designated regions stretching from Oberhausen to Hamm and from Marl to Schwerte. The first step will involve carrying out measurements using 2D seismic surveys – comparable to an ‘ultrasound’ scan of the Earth. Based on these results, a more detailed investigation will be carried out using 3D seismic surveys to map various areas more precisely and prepare for potential test drilling. The project participants plan to establish a joint venture, subject to approval under merger control law by the relevant competition authorities.
“The granting of this large-scale exploration licence is a significant step towards the expansion of geothermal energy in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond,” said Dr Herbert Pohl, CEO of Deutsche ErdWärme. “North Rhine-Westphalia has enormous potential to harness renewable heat from the subsurface for cities, local authorities and industrial applications. Together with strong partners, we are laying the foundations for a sustainable and affordable long-term heat supply.”
Geothermal energy: a key climate-friendly technology
The aim of the project is to feed renewable heat into existing and new district heating networks, thereby replacing fossil fuels. Geothermal energy harnesses the natural heat from the ground – it is climate-friendly, locally sourced and independent of the weather and time of day.
“To truly understand the subsurface and determine the full geothermal potential, considerable efforts – such as seismic site surveys, building on existing data and preliminary studies – are required. This will be the consortium’s immediate task,” says Jens-Peter Lux, Managing Director at DMT.
The project partners regard geothermal energy as a key technology for the heating transition in North Rhine-Westphalia. By providing sustainable heat that is independent of fuel prices, geothermal energy can make an important contribution to security of supply and to reducing CO₂ emissions. The Geothermal Energy Master Plan drawn up by the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia highlights this potential from deep underground: According to the plan, geothermal energy could eventually meet up to 20 per cent of North Rhine-Westphalia’s total heating demand.
With the exploration licence now granted, one of Germany’s most ambitious geothermal projects is set to begin, sending a strong signal for the heating transition in the heart of the Ruhr metropolitan region.
Press contacts
Iqony Fernwärme / Iqony Wärme Henning Heinemann | Deutsche ErdWärme Timo Gass | DMT Simon Hannert |
E.ON SE Kai Robert Blum | Fernwärmeversorgung Niederrhein Britta Bethe | Hertener Stadtwerke Kerstin Walberg |
