Vulcan Energy has begun drilling its first new geothermal well at the Schleidberg site near Landau, Germany, as part of its Phase One Lionheart Project. The operation, conducted by Vercana, Vulcan’s wholly owned drilling subsidiary, marks the fifth well in the project area. Last year, Vulcan acquired four existing production and reinjection wells from Geox GmbH. The company’s Field Development Plan includes adding 24 production and reinjection wells to support an integrated geothermal energy and lithium production initiative.

The Vercana drilling rig at the Schleidberg site near Landau, Germany

Approximately one month ago, Vulcan resumed supplying district heating from its Landau geothermal plant, initially providing 2 megawatts of thermal energy, sufficient for about 320 households. The new wells will increase geothermal heating capacity in Landau, a key component of the HEAT4LANDAU project. Additionally, brine extracted from these wells will enable the production of approximately 24,000 tonnes per year of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM), a critical material for electric vehicle batteries, supporting local industrial needs without affecting trade dynamics.

Cris Moreno, Vulcan Energy’s Managing Director and CEO, stated: “Start of drilling new production wells to grow current production represents achievement of yet another critical milestone for our Lionheart Project. This development means Vulcan is one step closer to delivering our mission of establishing a sustainable, European-based lithium supply chain, delivering both baseload renewable heating and lithium production for electric vehicle batteries.” The project aligns with efforts to provide clean energy and sustainable materials in Europe.

The Schleidberg drilling advances Vulcan’s goal of expanding renewable energy and lithium production in Germany. By integrating geothermal heating with lithium extraction, the Lionheart Project contributes to Landau’s energy security and supports the region’s transition to low-carbon solutions. The initiative is expected to create economic benefits, including job opportunities, while enhancing environmental sustainability through renewable energy and resource efficiency.

The Phase One Lionheart Project positions Vulcan Energy as a leader in sustainable energy and critical materials production, leveraging geothermal resources to meet growing demand for clean heating and electric vehicle components in Europe. The ongoing development underscores the company’s commitment to innovative, environmentally responsible solutions in the energy and mobility sectors.