The geothermal energy project in Leeuwarden will be continued. The Warmte van Leeuwarden consortium has taken the decision to prepare the drilling of the second well after the drilling of the first well at the end of 2021. After the first drilling, various source tests showed that the geothermal source had less power than expected. As a result, the resource has a more limited capacity and financial feasibility is a challenge. Nevertheless, it was decided to continue the project.

Ivar Nijenhuis, director of Geocombination Leeuwarden:
“Geothermal energy is sustainable and reliable, and therefore a good alternative to gas. The project in Leeuwarden is very important for the further development of geothermal energy in the built environment in the Netherlands. So we do everything we can to make the project a success.

We have not been able to solve the limited permeability of the subsoil, but after an extensive study of all data, we can now properly assess the consequences and the risks. By adding a heat pump, more cooling can be done, increasing the power and efficiency of the source. However, this requires the permits to be adjusted. We are also applying for a new grant for the project.

The project can be further improved by making useful use of the overcapacity in the summer. We are in talks with heat customers who want to purchase a lot of heat in the summer. In addition, we will carry out a shallow drilling in the first quarter of 2023 to investigate whether we can store the excess summer heat in the subsurface, in order to be able to supply that heat again in the winter, when there is more heat demand.

The second drilling is planned for the third quarter of 2023. That moment is determined by the delivery time of, among other things, the steel pipes in the pit that we are now going to order. In the meantime, we are working hard with all partners on the aforementioned improvements to the project.”

Preparing the drilling of the second well is the next step in the supply of geothermal energy in Leeuwarden. The ultimate goal remains to realize the first supply of geothermal energy by the end of 2024.

KeyFacts Energy: Geothermal news