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Recent refusal for backing of third well set back for Landau plant

Recent refusal for backing of third well set back for Landau plant Geothermal power plant in Landau, Germany (source: flickr/ webguy63, creative commons)
Alexander Richter 16 May 2013

One of the owners of the Landau geothermal power plant is refusing backing of the drilling of a third well for the plant, which constitutes a major set-back to bring the plant back to its original capacity.

The recent decision of board meeting at the utility of Landau, Energie Suedwest AG, not to participate in the financing of a third well for the Landau geothermal power plant is a major set back for the project.

The utility also announces to not further financially participate in the plant. Energie Suedwest, a joint venture of a city holding company of Landau and energy utility Enovos, and Pfalzwerke (another utility) own the plant jointly.

The third well was supposed to secure the operation of the power plant, which runs only at a limited capacity since seismisc events in 2009.

The drilling costs were estimated at EUR 10.6 million ($14.4 million) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment had put aside EUR 4.3 million.

The decision by Energie Suedwest has surprised Pfalzwerke, but also the Ministry for the Economy for the State of Rhinland-Palatinate.

There clearly seem to be conflicting opinions about how to proceed with the plant, which is seen as quite critical. There are though still hopes that the project can be developed further responsibly, so the responsible Minister of the state.

Source: Die Rheinpfalz (in German)