May 5, 2025
Geothermal drilling at Geiselbullach, Germany, is set to begin later this year.
Drilling for geothermal resources is set to begin by December 2025 in Geiselbullach, Olching, Bavaria, Germany. The project aims to utilize geothermal energy as an alternative source for the district heating network currently provided by a waste-to-energy plant.
Amperland Thermalwärme GmbH (ATW), a subsidiary of the Joint Municipal Company for Waste Management (GfA), will lead the project. They plan to drill a doublet into the Upper Jurassic aquifer's water-bearing layer at a depth of approximately 1,725 meters, with an expected water temperature of around 73 °C. If drilling and testing yield positive results, the company will seek a water law permit, aiming for the geothermal heating plant to be operational by early 2027.
GfA submitted the initial application for the geothermal project in 2023. Currently, the waste-to-energy plant provides all district heating in the Geiselbullach area, supplying heat to residential and commercial buildings in Olching and the neighboring Dachau district. However, increased heating demand has outpaced GfA's supply capacity.
ATW requested available seismic and drilling data from the Bavarian State Office for the Environment to model subsurface structures and identify drilling targets. The drilling permit was granted in late 2024.
The geothermal project in Geiselbullach is backed by the Federal Funding for Efficient Heat Networks (BEW) program from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), which offers a 40% investment subsidy for generation facilities and infrastructure. The development of the geothermal plant and expansion of the heat supply make ATW eligible for this funding.
Amperland Thermalwärme GmbH (ATW), a subsidiary of the Joint Municipal Company for Waste Management (GfA), will lead the project. They plan to drill a doublet into the Upper Jurassic aquifer's water-bearing layer at a depth of approximately 1,725 meters, with an expected water temperature of around 73 °C. If drilling and testing yield positive results, the company will seek a water law permit, aiming for the geothermal heating plant to be operational by early 2027.
GfA submitted the initial application for the geothermal project in 2023. Currently, the waste-to-energy plant provides all district heating in the Geiselbullach area, supplying heat to residential and commercial buildings in Olching and the neighboring Dachau district. However, increased heating demand has outpaced GfA's supply capacity.
ATW requested available seismic and drilling data from the Bavarian State Office for the Environment to model subsurface structures and identify drilling targets. The drilling permit was granted in late 2024.
The geothermal project in Geiselbullach is backed by the Federal Funding for Efficient Heat Networks (BEW) program from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), which offers a 40% investment subsidy for generation facilities and infrastructure. The development of the geothermal plant and expansion of the heat supply make ATW eligible for this funding.