Ceremony to celebrate the start of drilling of the Laufzon II geothermal heating project in Grünwald, Germany
The boreholes will supply geothermal energy to the Laufzorn II heating plant, developed by local utility Erdwärme Grünwald (EWG). The groundbreaking ceremony took place in late 2024, marking the start of this significant infrastructure expansion. As part of the broader geothermal development strategy, EWG had already completed a 5-kilometer extension of the district heating pipeline prior to the drilling phase.
Construction of the heating plant is scheduled to begin in 2026, with project completion anticipated by the winter of 2027–2028. Once operational, Laufzorn II will enhance Grünwald’s capacity to meet rising heating demand through renewable, CO?-free sources.
A ceremonial event, titled the “consecration of the drill bit,” was held to mark the beginning of drilling. The occasion was attended by approximately 150 guests, including community members and local officials. Grünwald’s First Mayor Jan Neusiedl highlighted the significance of the project in his speech: “The drill bit we are dedicating today and the large construction site we are witnessing here will help ensure that our community will be able to obtain its heat supply entirely from sustainable, CO?-free geothermal energy in the future.”
The Laufzorn II initiative follows the success of the original Laufzorn I geothermal plant, which has been in operation since 2011. In 2014, the facility was upgraded with an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) unit, allowing it to produce electricity alongside thermal energy. Laufzorn I is also integrated with the geothermal heating plant in Unterhaching. The existing plant has an installed capacity of 40 megawatts thermal (MWth) and 4.3 megawatts electric (MWe).
The new development reaffirms Grünwald’s commitment to renewable energy and strengthens its position in the transition to climate-friendly heating. Through continued investment in geothermal technology, the municipality aims to reduce its reliance on conventional energy sources and contribute to regional environmental goals.
