Geothermal exploration permit granted for Germering-Puchheim joint project in Germany
The geothermal exploration license area granted to Zukunftswärme M West around Germering and Puccheim in Bavaria, Germany (source: Zukunftswärme M West)
Carlo Cariaga
12 Mar 2026
A geothermal exploration license has been granted to joint company ZMW for the area in and around Germering and Puccheim in Germany.
The Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy has granted the geothermal exploration permit for a 72-square kilometer area in and around Germering and Puccheim in Bavaria Germany. The permit was granted to geothermal energy company Zukunftswärme M West (ZMW).
ZMW is the joint development company formedby the neighboring cities of Germering (25%) and Puchheim (15%), along with utility Stadtwerke München (SWM) (60%). The company was founded in July 2025 shortly after the decision of the partners to jointly develop a geothermal project in the region.
“This positive decision lays an important foundation for our project,” said Christine Cröniger, Managing Director of ZMW. “The exploration area defines the essential framework for further activities related to future heat generation, so that we can ultimately utilize sustainable heat for Germering, Puchheim, and western Munich.”
The development plant is for a 52-MW facility that will supply the heat demand of the three partners. This is envisioned to involve the drilling of eight boreholes, drawing thermal waters at temperatures of about 90 °C.
ZMW will now have to do a feasibility study to determine sites within the license area that are potentially suitable for a geothermal plant. According to the current planning status, a site selection decision is expected by autumn of 2026. The earliest possible commissioning date being anticipated is by 2033.
The company has also applied for a grant to cover 50% of the project costs from the Federal Funding Program for Efficient District Heating Networks (BEW). The grant approval is still pending.
Source: Zukunftswärme M West
