Heizungsgesetz: Wärmewende mit Geothermie – Zahl der Projekte hat sich verfünffacht

Berlin, Germany has witnessed a surge in geothermal energy projects, with the number of initiatives multiplying fivefold since 2021, according to Gregor Dilger, the managing director of the Federal Association of Geothermal Energy. This growing interest in harnessing heat from deep underground rock formations to power buildings is gaining momentum, with around 20 projects currently under construction and 188 others awaiting approval.

The so-called exploration permits, granted by the respective state authorities, grant companies exclusive rights to search for geothermal energy within a specific geographic area and for a set period. These permits serve as the foundation for geological surveys, which evaluate the potential of geothermal energy in a given location.

The increasing number of exploration permits underscores the expanding interest in geothermal energy as a viable renewable energy source. Geothermal energy taps into the high temperatures found in rock layers located at depths of 400 meters or more beneath the Earth's surface, although drilling often extends beyond these depths, reaching two, three kilometers or even more, depending on geological conditions.