Oradea, Romania inaugurates first geothermal heating plant
The first geothermal heating plant in Oradea, Romania, located in Nufarul (source: Municipality of Oradea)
Carlo Cariaga
2 Jun 2025
The city of Oradea in Romania has officially inaugurated its first geothermal heating plant in Nufarul, contributing 15% of the city's heating needs.
The Municipality of Oradea in Romania has officially inaugurated their first geothermal heating plant located in the Nufarul I neighborhood. The system supplies heat for approximately 6000 apartments. With the facility online, geothermal now supplies 15% of the thermal energy produced in Oradea.
Plans for a geothermal heating plant in Oradea were first discussed back in 2018, with an investment of EUR 19 million estimated for the project. A geothermal exploration license was then granted to the city in 2019, and the tender for the design and execution of the project was announced in 2021.
The geothermal heating plant has an installed capacity of 18 MWth. The geothermal system operates based on two extraction and two reinjection wells, each drilled to a depth of approximately 2800 meters. The heat is distributed along the urban thermal network and is supplied through over 270 mini thermal points installed at the level of each block in the neighborhood.
Climate neutrality by 2030
The inauguration ceremony was held at the new geothermal station led by Mayor Florin Birta and the Minister of Investments and European Projects, Marcel Bolos. The mayor pointed out that the local authorities aim to attract new European funds with the goal of increasing geothermal’s contribution to the heating supply to over 30% in the coming years.
Minister Marcel Bolos also highlighted how the project demonstrates how European funds can be used effectively not only to enhance energy efficiency, but also to provide quality public services and real comfort for citizens. He lauded the efficient collaboration between the local authorities, the local operator Termoficare Oradea SA, and the team from the Internationally Funded Projects Management Department.
Mayor Florin Birta stated that the geothermal heating project is part of a more extensive strategy to modernize the heating system in Oradea. More investments are being made on network efficiency, the expansion of renewable sources, and the digitalization of public services. The municipality ultimately aims to attain an ambitious objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2030.
Source: Municipality of Oradea (1 and 2)
