News

A.P. Møller Holding gets green light for geothermal projects in Aalborg and Aarhus

A.P. Møller Holding gets green light for geothermal projects in Aalborg and Aarhus Aalborg view, Denmark (source: flickr/ tomstravelscom, creative commons)
Alexander Richter 18 Apr 2019

A.P. Møller Holding Invest IV has received the green light for two new permits for exploration and extraction of geothermal energy, and will now be launching underground studies in Aalborg and Aarhus for planned geothermal district heating projects.

With two new permits for exploration and extraction of geothermal energy, A.P. Møller Holding Invest IV is now launching underground studies in Aalborg and Aarhus. The green potential of using geothermal energy in district heating can be great, says energy, supply and climate minister Lars Chr. Lilleholt (V).

With two new permits from the Danish Energy Agency in hand, A.P. Møller Holding Invest IV now proceed to investigate the potential for geothermal energy in two selected areas in Aalborg and Aarhus. There must drilling exploration wells to uncover the possibilities of commercializing geothermal energy for use in the district heating supply in Denmark’s 2nd and 3rd largest cities.

“The world is facing a huge climate challenge. Therefore, it is very positive that there is interest in utilizing the green, geothermal energy, which literally lies beneath our feet. With the latest energy agreement, which had broad support from all parties in the Folketing, the government has ensured the possibilities of utilizing the geothermal energy in the future district heating supply, ”says energy, supply and climate minister Lars Chr. Lilleholt (V).

Great potential and great export opportunities

The Minister also sees great opportunities in utilizing geothermal on a large scale, and not least as a new Danish export opportunity.

“There is great potential both in relation to the Danish heat supply and in future export opportunities of Danish knowledge and technology in the area,” says energy, supply and climate minister Lars Chr. Lilleholt (V).

The two areas around respectively. Aalborg and Aarhus are designated because the underground here is considered suitable for geothermal. The detailed studies must now uncover this.

Facts

An application for a permit for exploration and extraction of geothermal energy for district heating supply is applied for with two annual application deadlines, respectively. February 1st and September 1st.

On 1 February 2018, the Danish Energy Agency received four applications for overlapping areas at Aalborg and Aarhus.
The geothermal permits are granted on the basis of the applicant’s financial and technical competencies, as well as the quality and scope of the applicant’s work program.

Permits are subject to the legal rules in force at any time in Denmark.

Permission no. G2019-01, Aalborg geothermal

Permission No. G2019-02, Aarhus geothermal

Source: Energistyrelsen (Danish Energy Supply and Climate Ministry)