Mine water targeted for geothermal heating in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Mine water from an old coal mine in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt is being targeted to be used to provide geothermal heating to nearby communities.
The municipality of Mansfelder Grund-Helbra in Saxony-Anhalt in Eastern Germany recently had the opportunity to explain its planned geothermal project to Saxony-Anhalt’s Economics Minister Sven Schulze (CDU) and aroused interest: within the scope of his ministry’s responsibilities. The state politician announced his support for the local actors.
As part of the energy transition and structural change, the municipality plans to use mine water from the tunnel of the former Schmid shaft of coal mining times in the town of Helbra to heat nearby buildings. There are also considerations for photovoltaic systems and a wind farm on adjacent old industrial sites, far away from residential buildings. “Public acceptance is extremely important,” said Schulze. In this context, he referred to a letter he had sent to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in view of the high energy prices. In it he calls for relief for companies and citizens.
Reliable figures are expected from the study
The district administration also welcomes the community’s geothermal project. District administrator André Schröder (CDU) offered the municipality in Helbra help and advice in order to “prepare a qualified preliminary building application for the project”.
The municipality now wants to commission a feasibility study as the next step. The municipality expects reliable figures from the paper so that it can later apply for funding for the implementation of the project from the “Revier 2038” program at the investment bank in Magdeburg.
Source: MZ