More specifically, the referendum was held to decide on whether the municipal council can transfer municipal land for the geothermal project. The negative vote does not mean that the project can no longer continue. Rather, geothermal development in Waghäusel will now only be possible on private land or areas owned by the state of Baden-Württemberg. The situation in Waghäusel demonstrates how critical community acceptance and stakeholder engagement are in the process of geothermal project development.
8,257 people or 48.6% of the qualified voting population turned up to vote in the referendum. 2,239 voted (27.1%) favorably for the leasing of municipal land, while 6,018 (72.9%) voted against it. All districts voted to oppose leasing or sale of municipal land for the geothermal project, with the district of Wiesental getting the highest portion of ‘no’ votes. The proposed geothermal drilling site was in Wiesental. The result of the referendum is binding for three years.
Waghäusel Mayor Thomas Deuschle commented that the city would have had more control over the project if it had been built on municipal land. Despite his support to the geothermal project, the mayor concluded that “the citizens have spoken” and the result has to be accepted.
Representatives from Deutsche Erdwärme expressed disappointment with the result of the referendum, but also stated that they intend to continue with the project. Alternative plots of land are being examined for their suitability for the geothermal project.
We had first reported on the Waghäusel geothermal project back in 2021. Previous studies on the area had identified a possible red sandstone formation that could be hosting geothermal waters at 160 degrees Celsius. The original plan of Deutsche Erdwärme was to drill for hot water near Wiesental to a depth of around 4000 meters.
