Geothermal spa project in Bad Vilbel, Germany to receive European funding
Announcement of funding notice for the Bad Vilbel geothermal spa project in Hesse, Germany (source: State of Hesse)
Carlo Cariaga
27 Jun 2025
Exploration studies for a proposed thermal spa using geothermal in Bad Vilbel, Germany will receive funding from the European Regional Development Fund.
A project to evaluate geothermal resources for a planned thermal spa and swimming pool project in the town of Bad Vilbel in Hesse, Germany will eb receiving funding of EUR 551,200 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Hesse’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy. Planned exploration activities for the “Bad Vilbel Thermal Spa” project will include the collection of seismic data and possibly exploration drilling.
The city and district has commissioned the Josef Wund Thermal Spa Group and the Therme Group for this project. Deep geothermal energy is already being successfully utilized for heat supply and spa operations at two of the Therme Group’s locations, Therme Erding and Therme Bukarest.
As Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Kaweh Mansoori explains, the project will create an attractive leisure facility while also improving the understanding of potential geothermal resources in the Wetterau region.
“If the geothermal data gives the green light, the thermal spa will have a sustainable heat supply – a real benefit for the climate and the region. This shows that the energy transition is not an abstract goal, but is being implemented locally. We are counting on renewable energies such as geothermal energy to make a significantly greater contribution to heat supply by 2030. The state government is supporting such projects because they show how climate protection and quality of life can go hand in hand,” the Minister further commented.
The necessary subsurface information for geothermal energy in Bad Vilbel is not yet available. Subsurface exploration and the evaluation of the obtained seismic data will allow decisions to be made about further steps for the use of geothermal energy.
“If test drilling appears appropriate, we will examine whether the future Bad Vilbel thermal spa can be supplied with environmentally friendly heat from the subsurface year-round – an important step towards a sustainable, resource-efficient, and regionally anchored energy supply,” explained Frank Müller, project manager of THERME Bad Vilbel.
“The thermal spa in Bad Vilbel is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the district and a milestone for thermal spa construction throughout Germany. It will contribute to the long-term strengthening of Wetterau as a business and tourism location, especially in light of its profile as a health region with three spa towns,” added Jan Weckler, District Administrator of the Wetterau District.
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Source: State of Hessen and Bundesverband Geothermie
