The Hydrocarbons Agency announced this week tenders for four exploration areas intended for the exploration of geothermal waters for energy purposes. This is a geographical area of ​​the Drava valley in which a significant geothermal potential has been proven. Investors were thus offered the exploration areas Ernestinovo (water temperatures up to 165°C), Lunjkovec-Kutnjak (up to 145°C), Legrad-1 (up to 212°C) and Merhatovec (up to 150°C), with a total area of ​​207 km².

Source: The Hydrocarbons Agency

The potential of exploration areas has been identified in earlier wells drilled for oil and gas exploration and exploitation, which now greatly reduces the risk and costs to future investors. It should be noted that the temperature at all locations exceeds 100°C, which is the minimum temperature required for electricity generation, while the total potential of all locations is around 50MW of electricity. In addition to electricity, geothermal energy has great potential in district heating, where future investors, in cooperation with the local community, have the opportunity to cascade production - from electricity, district heating to agriculture in which geothermal water is used to heat greenhouses.

Commenting on the opening of the tender, the President of the Hydrocarbons Agency Marijan Krpan pointed out that geothermal energy is a symbolic transition from fossil to renewable energy sources because the research uses knowledge and experience gained in the exploitation of hydrocarbons. "Croatia has enough domestic knowledge and experience, but also natural potentials that we must direct to renewable sources from which our economy and community will benefit the most. Geothermal energy is a challenge at the moment, but also a potential that is accessed by large countries and large companies. I believe that we will attract new domestic and foreign investors, launch projects and contribute to the development of Slavonia, Podravina and Međimurje" said Krpan.

Croatia has a high geothermal gradient that is on average almost twice as large as the rest of the European continent. Electricity production from geothermal sources is clean and renewable, but also stable because geothermal power plants do not depend on weather conditions, they work from 0-24h with a capacity factor of up to 95%. In addition to the production of electricity, the greatest potential of geothermal energy is in heating projects, for which Croatian cities and counties are also showing interest.

KeyFacts Energy: Geothermal news