Exploratory geothermal drilling in Otwock started in the autumn of 2023. The goal for the drilling was to confirm the geothermal potential in the study area which has been estimated to support about 4.21 MW of heating capacity.
The exploration well was drilled to a depth of 1645 meters. Detailed measurements and well testing are yet to be done, but visual indicators of the well discharge confirm that thermal water has been tapped by the well. Mayor Margielski also stated that negotiations are going well with regards to the funding of subsequent geothermal development of the project.
“Today, we look at raw material and energy security from the point of view of using the local energy sources that we have. Such a local source is geothermal energy,” commented Piotr Dziadzio, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, during the ceremony marking the start of geothermal drilling in Otwock.
Before the end of 2023, Poland’s Ministry of Climate and Environment thru the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOSiGW) under the “Provision of thermal waters in Poland” program approved funding of PLN 530 million (approx. USD 131 million) for 18 geothermal projects.
The NFOSiGW supports the development of geothermal energy through priority programs, donating hundreds of millions for this purpose over the last few years. From 1995 to 2022, the fund has provided co-financing for geothermal research and exploratory work for 46 projects for a total subsidy amount of PLN 583.5 million.
