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Fonroche receives new exploration permit near Strasbourg, France

Fonroche receives new exploration permit near Strasbourg, France Well at Rittershoffen geothermal site in Alsace, France (source: ThinkGeoEnergy)
Alexander Richter 14 Apr 2016

Fonroche Geothermal has received an exploration permit for a geothermal site near Vendenheim in the Alsace, France. The project could provide power and heat to the nearby community.

French geothermal firm Fonroche has received a new exploration permit for a project site in Vendenheim, near Strasbourg in France.

The company applied for a permit back in January 2015 to demonstrate the presence of a high temperature geothermal reservoir usable for industrial purposes on the outskirt of the town of Vendenheim

This request is part of the Exclusive License for Research of high temperature geothermal deposits said “Strasbourg Permit” issued by Ministerial decree 10 June 2013. the final project, after confirmation of the existence of the expected geothermal resource and obtaining a concession for the exploitation of the aquifer resources, the realization of a geothermal cogeneration plant.

Fonroche aims to develop a geothermal power and heating plant supplied by wells drilled to a depth of 4,500 meters.

A public inquiry was held from September 11 to October 14, 2015 in the premises of the municipality of Vendenheim. 38 contributions were made ??mainly concerning protection of groundwater sources during construction and operation and seismicity induced by the project.

The inquiry commissioner issued an opinion favourable to the request. Under the procedure, the County Council environment and health and technological risks, reviewed the case March 2, 2016, and issued a favourable opinion unanimously on this project.

It is in these conditions and view of these favourable opinion that the Prefect of the Alsace-Lorraine Champagne-Ardenne, Prefect of the Lower Rhine signed the decree opening authorization prefectural mining works covering all the requirements imposed on society FONROCHE Geothermal .

To ensure public information on the project implementation and meet the demands expressed during the course of the procedure, a monitoring committee involving government departments, local councilors, associations and operator will be created by the Prefect to provide regular information on the progress of the project.

Source: France 3 TV