Visaltia, Greece signs MoU on geothermal evaluation and utilization
Signing of MoU between the municipality of Visaltia and HSGME on geothermal energy (source: Visaltia Municipality)
Carlo Cariaga
26 Mar 2025
An MoU has been signed for the HSGME to provide scientific advisory on the issues of geothermal energy and hydrogeology for the Visaltia Municipality in Greece.
The Municipality of Visaltia in Greece has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hellenic Survey of Geology and Mineral Exploration (HSGME / EAGME) to cooperate on issues pertaining to geothermal energy and hydrogeology.
Under the 5-year MoU, the HSGME will provide scientific assistance on the following issues:
- Energy utilization of the geothermal fluids of the Therma-Nigrita field of local interest;
- Identification and assessment of geothermal potential in the Achinos-Ivira-Mavrothalassa area; and
- The treatment of a chronic problem of ensuring good quality and sufficient quantity of drinking water for the water supply of the Communities of the Municipality.
In order to address the above issues, HSGME will provide continuous scientific information and briefing on the topics of geothermal energy and hydrogeology. Finally, in order to optimally address specific scientific and technical issues, it is envisaged to jointly establish Working Groups consisting of expert scientists from other Research Institutes and/or Higher Education Institutions (Universities).
“I would like to thank HSGME and its General Director, Mr. Dionysios Gkoutis, who responded immediately and with interest to our request and expedited the necessary procedures for the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation / Understanding. The long-standing relationship of the former IGME with Visaltia is known to everyone, both in the field of geothermal research and in other areas of geological exploration,” said the Mayor of Visaltia, Mrs. Vana Pliakou.
“This long-standing and close relationship is today formalized and HSGME, as the successor of IGME, becomes an assistant and advisor to our Municipality in order to utilize the geothermal energy found in our area and to solve a chronic water supply problem. Both of these axes constitute pillars for the development of the area. The Municipal Authority is committed to this direction.”
A similar MoU had been signed earlier this year for the development of geothermal resources in the Municipality of Sintiki.
A strong geothermal interest in Visaltia
Dr. Apostolos Arvanitis, the Head of Geothermal Energy at HSGME, provided some details on the geothermal potential in Visaltia. “The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation gives Visaltia a great opportunity to highlight and rationally utilize the significant geothermal potential that it seems to have.”
Apostolos Arvanitis described the Therma Nigrita geothermal field as one of the first low-enthalpy geothermal fields investigated by the IGME. The first geothermal boreholes had been drilled in this field from 1980-1982 and geothermal greenhouses had operated here in the 1990s. However, the whole project is now in a state of decline and abandonment, and the thermal baths of Therma are no longer operating.
With the MoU, development of the prospect can be revitalized. Based on the personal research of Apostolos Arvanitis, the area extending from the local community of Choumniko to the villages of Tragilos and Efkarpia is of great geothermal interest. This has been indicated by 3 geothermal wells drilled during 2000-2002 in the in the Achinos-Ivira area, identifying waters with temperatures up to 51 °C.
“Our goal is the systematic investigation of the area and its characterization as a geothermal field of local interest, in order to pave the way for the exploitation of the geothermal potential. The hydrogeological research will help, on the one hand, in solving a chronic water supply problem, and on the other hand, it will provide useful data for geothermal exploration and the possibility of implementing Geothermal Heat Pump systems,” added Apostolos Arvanitis.
“We want to contribute to the development of Visaltia. I hope, with everyone’s joint effort and collaboration, we can achieve this!”
Source: Dimos Visaltias
