German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently highlighted the great potential of deep geothermal energy for heat production in Germany, Reuters reports. This is part of Berlin’s strategy to phase out the use of fossil fuels in heating systems.
Germany has one of the largest reserves of geothermal energy in Europe, which have remained largely untapped until now. However, the surge in energy prices in the past year has revived interest in this renewable energy source. Major urban utilities, as well as German and international fossil fuel companies, are now looking at potential domestic investments in the sector.
Deep geothermal refers to the extraction of heat from geothermal reservoirs located more than 400 meters below the earth’s surface. At the recent SPD event in Bavaria, Chancellor Schulz set the goal of using as much geothermal energy as possible by 2030.
Among Berlin’s ambitious plans is to increase the production of geothermal energy, so that by 2030 it will provide ten times more energy to the heating network than it currently has. According to Scholz, the number of geothermal power plants will increase from 42 to 54 in the future.
Schultz stressed that deep geothermal energy is of particular importance to local communities and their heat supply needs. Expanding this renewable energy source can contribute significantly to Germany’s sustainability goals.
The geothermal energy sector in the largest economy in the European Union is pressing for legislation that will increase the potential of this energy source and overcome various challenges. These include local resistance to drilling activities and insufficient government support.
A study by the Fraunhofer Institute last year revealed that geothermal energy could cover more than a quarter of Germany’s annual energy needs.
Cover photo credit: Grant Faint via Getty Images
