Power company EVN will soon start a seismic survey as part of efforts to explore the potential for deep geothermal energy in the southern Vienna Basin in the state of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) in Austria. The seismic surveys will be carried out between November 2026 and February 2027.
In late 2025, the state of Lower Austria and EVN announced a partnership for a geothermal heating project, envisioning the establishment of the first deep geothermal plant by 2030 and a second plant by 2035. Early results indicate that there is enough energy at depths of 3000 to 4500 meters to supply the heating needs of up to 900,000 households.
The upcoming survey will cover more than 330 kilometers and will pass through over 60 municipalities in Vienna, Lower Austria, and Burgenland. Special measuring vehicles will travel along these planned routes and generate controlled vibrations, which will be recorded by geophones. Approximately 300,000 geophones will be deployed along the measurement lines. The findings from this survey and other technical studies will form the basis for further planning of deep geothermal projects.
EVN spokesperson Stefan Zach gives an assurance that surveys will be done in a controlled and technically monitored manner and that the vehicles will primarily pass through public roads and paths. Local residents who would like to learn more about the activity and project are welcome to attend the information events that EVN will be holding from September to October in Oberwaltersdorf, Wiener Neustadt, and Wiener Neudorf.
“With deep geothermal energy, we want to make the local heat resources beneath our feet usable for future generations. At the same time, it is important to us to involve the people in the region from the very beginning and to keep them openly informed about the next steps,” explains Zach.
Source: EVN
