Start of drilling of geothermal exploration well at Velika Gorica, Croatia
The project is being carried out within the framework of the project “Preparation and Research of Geothermal Potential in the Context of District Heating”. Funding of EUR 50.8 million for the project has been secured in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) as a measure to encourage energy efficiency, district heating, and renewable energy source. The Velika Gorica project has an investment value of more than EUR 11 million.
“Croatia is rich in geothermal potential, and this investment is part of a broader energy independence strategy. The Government of the Republic of Croatia will continue to support projects that use renewable energy sources and contribute to economic growth and development,” said Goran Romek, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy and Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia.
“In the context of the growing need for energy security and the initiated process of energy transition in the Republic of Croatia, geothermal energy offers unique solutions that are stable, renewable, reliable, independent of weather conditions and environmentally friendly,” added Marijan Krpan, President of the Management Board of the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency.
“For the above reasons, the construction of the Velika Gorica exploratory geothermal well represents the basis for a possible transformation of the heating system in continental Croatia and a key step towards creating a sustainable heating system that will use domestic resources to reduce dependence on energy imports.”
The Mayor of Velika Gorica, Krešimir A?kar, emphasized the importance of this infrastructure project for the local community: “The project to explore geothermal potential in the Velika Gorica area is one of the most important strategic projects in the time ahead, as we expect it to provide cheaper and environmentally friendly heating to the citizens of Velika Gorica.”
CROSCO has been contracted by the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency to carry out all phases of well construction.
With strengthening government and funding support, Croatia is positioning itself to take advantage of a particularly high geothermal gradient and perhaps one of the biggest geothermal potential in Europe. This week, Croatia will be holding its first-ever Geothermal Forum in Zagreb.
