This decision comes after the presentation of the results of a study done by the Faculty of Mining and Geology that identified three high-potential sites for geothermal heating – Batajnica, Borca, and Dunav. Each of these areas has the potential to support between 5 to 20 MW of heating capacity. The heating plants identified in this study align with the results of a similar study done in 2023, although the more recent study proposes a shorter list of potential sites for development.
The study was done based on geological data collected through research, analysis of archival materials, and recorded data of operating parameters of the heating plants.
During the discussion, it was concluded that the exploitation of geothermal energy at the Batajnica heating plant has the potential to substitute more than 90% of the annual amount of fossil fuel-based energy generated in this heating plant. Thus, Vanja Vukic, Director of Beogradska Elektrana, stated that the company now plans to invest on exploratory drilling to confirm the predicated parameters for geothermal heating capacity.
The plan is for the drilling of the exploration well to start this year, with the aim of utilizing heat from the well for the 2025/2026 heating season.
Serbia currently has a single operation geothermal heating plant in Bogatic, which started construction in 2018 and became operational a year after.
