On January 23, drilling began for a new geothermal project. The energy generated will be used to supply several communities, among other things. The mayor presented the system to interested parties the day before in a small ceremony. H. Anger's Söhne is responsible for drilling. The Federal Ministry of Economics is funding the project.

The facility will be built next to the Halsbacher Waldbühne. According to experts, this spot is particularly suitable for geothermal drilling

After around half a year of preparation, the first drilling in Kirchweidach began this week.

In just under three months, the deep water 3200 meters away should be reached.

The first 26-inch drill bit will reach a depth of 850 meters. A 17.5 inch bit will then be used to complete the hole. A re-injection well is planned below.

Since there are two more drilling cellars, another deep drilling with renewed reinjection drilling could be carried out.  

The energy generated from this system is intended to operate not only for the municipality of Kirchweidach but also for the greenhouses of the Steiner company, whose owner Josef Steiner is the majority shareholder of the construction company "Naturwärme Kirchweidach-Halsbach". In addition, the municipalities of Halsbach, Tyrlaching and Feichten are to be connected to the system.
The Federal Ministry of Economics is funding the project with 15 million euros.  

Elaborate planning phase

However, before the construction phase began, the facility was inaugurated in a ceremony. Among others, members of the local council and neighbors of the drilling field were invited. The mayor of Kirchweidach, Robert Moser, hosted the event and reported to the guests about the planning that has been going on since 2018. He is grateful to the community and all those involved in the project for the good and goal-oriented cooperation. During the event, the mayor said: " In my view, a very significant timeline. A lot of gears have to fit together and mesh very well in order to do it that way ”. 

At the end of the event, the local chaplain, Father Witold Kuman, performed an old miner's custom; he blessed the drill bit.  

Deep Geothermal Energy, Kirchweidach, Germany

In the municipality of Kirchweidach in Germany, since 2013 vegetables are being produced sustainably and residents are supplied with renewable heat and electricity based on deep geothermal energy. The biggest customer of the geothermal heat is a vegetable growing company using a 12 hectare large green house, cultivating regional peppers and tomatoes. This project is a unique flagship in terms of sustainability and environmental heat utilization strengthening the regional economy and location of the municipality in many ways. The vegetable production is completely CO2 free. Compared to “conventionally produced” tomatoes from Spain or the Netherlands, the company saves approximately 6.5 million liters of fuel oil and 21.5 million kilogram of CO2. The establishment of the greenhouse enabled the creation of 150 jobs. In addition, a power generation plant is still under construction. The complete project will enable the connection of further 300 households to the local district heating network. The positive response of the citizens and the high acceptance of the district heating network, comprising very low connecting and operating costs, give benefit to each household in the community. If there is a default, the supply is ensured by two fuel oil fired hot water boilers and a reserve heat storage with more than 3,400 m3. The thermal water passes the process twice, what results in an efficient and inexpensive system. In addition, a neighboring biogas plant is connected.

KeyFacts Energy: Geothermal news