Local energy company badenova, through subsidiary badenovaWÄRMEPLUS, has decided to build the planned geothermal heating plant in the municipality of Hartheim in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This comes after a substantially long period of deliberation for the location of the Breisgau geothermal heating project.
With this development, the first drilling for the project is planned for 2026 and operations of the heating plant is targeted by 2028.
The exploration permit for the proposed geothermal heating project was granted to badenova in 2021. This was followed in quick succession by an aero-magnetic and gravity survey later in 2021, and a seismic campaign in 2022.
By 2025, badenova will be applying for a permit for the drilling. The aim is to drill into a large water reservoir at 3000 meters depth with potential temperatures of up to 130 °C. If the first drilling is successful, the distribution pipeline and heating plant will be built, serving around 200,000 people around Freiburg. The company expects an investment of about EUR 100 million will be needed for the project.
