Largest geothermal exploration permit granted in Germany in Ruhr region
The "Erdwärme Metropole Ruhr" geothermal exploration license area in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (source: Deutsche ErdWärme)
Carlo Cariaga
24 Jun 2026
The largest geothermal exploration permit granted in Germany has been awarded to a group of companies for a geothermal heating project in the Ruhr region.
The largest geothermal exploration permit in Germany has been granted by the Arnsberg District Government. The “Erdwärme Metropole Ruhr” permit area stretches from Oberhausen to Hamm in the Ruhr region, covering an area of 1640 square kilometers in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The goal of the project is to develop the geothermal resources to supply heating to new and currently existing heating networks in the region.
The companies involved in the joint project are E.ON Business Solutions Deutschland, DMT, Deutsche ErdWärme, Fernwärmeversorgung Niederrhein, Iqony Fernwärme, Iqony Wärme, and Hertener Stadtwerke. The project partners plan to establish a joint venture, subject to merger control clearance from the relevant antitrust authorities.
With the exploration permit granted, the project partners will proceed with extensive investigations to determine the geothermal potential in the region. The initial exploration phase will involve the investigation of geological reservoirs in pre-determined areas from Oberhausen to Hamm and from Marl to Schwerte. An initial 2D seismic survey will be done, the results of which will be the basis for a more in-depth 3D seismic survey to identify potential drilling locations.
“The granting of this large-scale exploration permit is a significant step for the expansion of geothermal energy in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond,” said Dr. Herbert Pohl, CEO of Deutsche ErdWärme. “North Rhine-Westphalia has enormous potential to harness renewable heat from the subsurface for cities, municipalities, and industrial applications. Together with strong partners, we are creating the foundation for a sustainable and affordable heat supply in the long term.”
“We are delighted by the trust the state government has placed in our consortium by granting us the exploration permit. The consortium partners are determined to make an important contribution to the energy transition in North Rhine-Westphalia,” added Katja Winkler, Geothermal Project Manager for E.ON Business Solutions Germany.
“The Ruhr region is a pioneer in the energy transition. Our new joint project embodies this spirit. Our region has enormous potential for district heating – densely populated, industrial, and full of untapped heat sources. Geothermal energy can be a strong pillar of the future heat supply. At Iqony, we look forward to exploring, together with our partners, what further heat potential lies deep beneath our feet,” further explained Matthias Ohl, CEO of Iqony’s district heating business.
In 2024, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia published a Geothermal Energy Master Plan that set a target of developing geothermal heating to cover 15% to 20% of the state’s heating demand. Since then, the state has announced funding programs to support geothermal development through subsidies for both deep exploration drilling and geothermal heat pump installation.
Source: Deutsche ErdWärme
