Study reveals geothermal heating potential in Templin, Germany
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With a rich history of thermal baths, the town of Templin in Germany is now starting efforts to develop a geothermal district heating network.
A feasibility study done in the town of Templin in Brandenburg, Germany indicates that the town holds potential for geothermal heating, beyond it current use case for thermal baths. With this information, local stakeholders are now working together to secure funding and the necessary permits to harness this potential and develop a geothermal heating network.
The study, commissioned by local thermal baths company NaturTherme Templin, was published in 2025 and revealed that even hotter thermal brine can be extracted than what is currently used for the thermal bath facility. Thermal temperatures in Templin could reach 70 ºC. This is notably hotter than the thermal waters used in the planned and operating geothermal heating schemes in Prenzlau, Schwerin, Neuruppin, or Neubrandenburg.
Templin already has a rich history in using thermal waters for baths. The thermal bath facilities of NaturTherme Templin have been extracting thermal waters from a depth of 1650 meters for more than 25 years. With this new discovery, the aspiration is to extend this legacy further into a sustainable and reliable heat supply for the small town.
Local stakeholders, including the city, the thermal bath company, and the district heating company, have all agreed on a course to develop this geothermal heating system. The city will repurchase the district heating company from the municipal housing company to help set it up for better opportunities to access loan and funding programs.
A worthwhile investment for the small town
According to the study, developing the project will require an investment of EUR 20 to 22 million. Templin is hoping for funding of at least 40% from the federal program for Efficient District Heating Networks (BEW). The town also intends to utilize the joint German Fund of the federal ministries and the German Development Bank (KfW).
Mayor Christian Hartphiel is optimistic that Templin can raise the necessary matching funds to apply for funding. The investment can be spread over several fiscal years, which should be manageable for the town’s annual budget of just over EUR 35 million.
Despite the high investment requirement, the project is economically viable in the long-run. “Doing nothing would be expensive,” emphasizes Diana Krüger-Stessun, Managing Director of the district heating company. “This project is a unique investment for decades of secure and affordable heat for private households, daycare centers, schools, gyms, social facilities, businesses, and tourist facilities.”
Source: Nordkurier
