Next Friday in Velika Gorica, geothermal energy exploration begins

In one week, next Friday, February 28, geothermal drilling will commence in Velika Gorica as part of the exploration of geothermal energy sources, conducted by the Hydrocarbon Agency under the project for exploring geothermal potential in Croatia, financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO) 2021-2026. This was confirmed by Martina Tuschl, Director of the Geothermal Energy Sector at the Hydrocarbon Agency (AZU) during a press briefing ahead of the upcoming GIFC 2025 (Geothermal Investment Forum Croatia 2025).

– This year, four wells are planned. Already next Friday, February 28, work will begin on the well near Velika Gorica, followed by Osijek, Vinkovci, and Zaprešić. This is an exploration of heating energy potential, specifically for district heating – said Martina Tuschl.

As explained by the AZU director, this is a project for exploring geothermal potential, for which €50 million has been allocated from the NPOO to investigate sources of this type of energy at locations in Velika Gorica, Osijek, Vinkovci, Zaprešić, Vukovar, and Sisak. The project will last until mid-2026, by which time the exploratory phase should be completed. Subsequently, if the exploration confirms geothermal potentials sufficient for heating use, the relevant ministry will announce tenders for the utilization of this energy for heating households, municipal institutions, and companies. During 2023, necessary geophysical surveys, 2D seismic, and magnetotelluric studies were conducted in these cities.

Geothermal energy is not widely and densely distributed across the European Union, but it is utilized in the north, south, east, and west, namely in Italy, Poland, Hungary, France, etc. Local communities see great potential in it for heating, and it can also be used for electricity generation. According to the Hydrocarbon Agency (AZU), there are currently 12 exploitation fields and 24 exploration areas for geothermal waters in Croatia. Of these, 13 exploration areas are controlled by local government units interested in heating, while six exploration areas intended for electricity production are held by four private investors.

According to projections for 2050, geothermal energy could reach 405 MW by then, exceeding the capacity of Croatia’s share in NE Krško.