As part of the EU-funded GreetGEO project, a study tour was organized with around 50 participants in Croatia where the geothermal potential and ongoing geothermal projects were discussed, specifically in the cities of Bjelovar and Krizevci.
The study trip started with a presentation at Bjelovar, where the Wellovar Geothermal Sports and Recreation Park project was presented. Construction work on the thermal spa complex commenced in October 2025 and the facility is expected to open later this year. It is being envisioned as the most modern thermal spa complex in Croatia, with about 7000 square meters of swimming pools.
The participants visited the construction site of the recreation park, as well as the Korenovo GT-1 well, which will supply thermal waters to the park from a depth of 1290 meters. As reported by ThinkGeoEnergy, the Korenovo GT-1 geothermal well was drilled in November 2023, and tested in March 2024.
Reviving geothermal ambitions in Krizevci
The study tour continued to the town of Krizevci, where a geothermal project has been initiated centered on a well that was drilled about 40 years ago. The Krizevcanka-1 vertical well, located in the the Ratarna area, was drilled in 1985-96 to a depth of 1496 meters by RO Geotehnika as part of gas field exploration. During exploration, a pump was installed at depths of 300-500 meters and that the production potential was determined to be between 3-4 MWth.
More recent testing of the Krizevci well indicated a wellhead temperature of 79.5 °C at stable hydrodynamic conditions, thus also supporting an estimated output of 3 MWth.
The Mayor of Krizevci, Tomislav Katanovic, welcomed participants to the site and explained that a new injection well now needs to be drilled to put the geothermal system into operation. The Mayor emphasized that the location of the well is strategic, as it s near many public facilities including primary and secondary schools, sports halls, and the city swimming pool. Using the geothermal well as a heat source of the swimming pool is part of the pool’s renovation plan.
Currently, the environmental approval and preliminary design approval for the geothermal project have been secured. The main development design is still being finalized. The project developers can then start the process of securing financial support for the project’s implementation. As stated by the Mayor, Krizevci is now working hard to finally utilize its geothermal assets 40 years after initial exploration.
About GreetGEO
GreetGEO is a European project financed through the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) instrument. The Greet GEO project brings together 10 partners from 8 European countries – Croatia, Hungary, Slovenia, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and Ireland – combining regional knowledge and international expertise to drive innovation in geothermal energy and promote sustainable development. It aims to stimulate the sustainable development of less developed European regions through the use of geothermal energy, interregional cooperation, innovation and connecting local stakeholders, the scientific community and industry.
Source: City of Bjelovar and City of Krizevci
