THE WORKSHOP WAS HELD ON THE TOPIC OF USING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY IN THE AREA OF SVETA NEDELJA AND KUTINA, SVETA NEDELJA AND KUTINA ON THE WAY TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
The City of Sveta Nedelja is carrying out a project titled “Development of documentation for the geothermal water exploration phase in the area of Sveta Nedelja” together with its partners EFLA Consulting Engineers from Iceland and EKOPLODOVI from Sveta Nedelja.
The total value of the project is €372,006.43, of which €316,205.47, or 85%, is non-refundable. The project is to be carried out from 13 March 2022 to 30 April 2024.and is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014 – 2021, along with national co-funding by the Republic of Croatia under the Energy and Climate Change Programme.
As part of the project, a workshop on the use of geothermal energy in the area of Sveta Nedelja and Kutina was held on 21 March 2024. Geothermal energy sources provide a stable and reliable energy supply, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to the energy independence of countries. The use of geothermal energy provides low carbon dioxide emissions, which helps to combat climate change and preserve the environment, while providing a reliable source of energy for various sectors such as industry, agriculture and households.
The Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway Helge Klouman Marstrander explained how the EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism contribute to reducing social and economic inequalities in Europe while strengthening bilateral cooperation. “We are extremely pleased that Croatia is increasingly turning to the potentials of renewable energy sources and that it is increasingly using geothermal sources as energy carriers for a wide range of projects. The use of geothermal energy sources provides sustainable and inexhaustible energy, reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and stimulates local development through the creation of new jobs and economic growth. I hope that Sveta Nedelja and Kutina will be able to fully harness their potentials”, said Marstrander. He pointed out that geothermal energy is one of the future energy sources that will be needed in the green transition and the move away from the use of fossil fuels, and that there are many ways to utilise it in different sectors.
“Croatia has an endless wealth in its own backyard in the form of heat. If you use it in the right way, future generations will have resources to build on. This is the beginning of a long adventure that will bring new jobs, know-how and the export of the knowledge that you will acquire in this adventure and that you will be able to pass on to those who are at the beginning of theirs. We are pleased to be able to help in this process with our long-term knowledge and experience”, said Hafsteinn Helgason of EFLA Consulting Engineers.
As part of the preparation of the project, the ” Geothermal Potential Study in The SVETA NEDELJA 2 Exploration Area ” has already been completed, which foresees that geothermal energy in Sveta Nedelja will be used in its industrial zone, as well as in the fields of tourism and agriculture, and so far the data show that it could in the future be extended to large settlements and industry. “The aim of the study was to determine the locations of new geothermal wells, and we also prepared the conceptual project for the Sveta Nedelja GT-2 well, which has been approved by the Ministry. We are aware of all the advantages that geothermal energy would bring to the further development of our city. We support the transition to a sustainable energy model in line with European Union guidelines and will continue to emphasise the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility to encourage citizens and industry to recognise the benefits of clean and renewable energy sources”, said Dario Zurovec, Mayor of the City of Sveta Nedelja. He added that the integration of geothermal energy into the energy grid would contribute to achieving the objectives of the European Green Plan, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring a stable and sustainable energy supply for buildings and industry.
The conceptual design of the Sveta Nedelja GT-2 well was also prepared and approved by the Ministry. The development of the exploration well project and the environmental impact study are currently underway. Once completed, the same projects will be submitted for location permits. The City of Sveta Nedelja intends to activate the existing geothermal potential to meet the needs of public institutions and private users, while its partner will be able to create a foundation for increasing the geothermal production capacity, which is insufficient with the existing geothermal well. “We will identify the potential within the city and once we have identified the optimal point, we will see what direction we will take. It is possible that we have the potential to build a geothermal power plant that would provide us with clean energy, and the investment in its construction is not high”, said Mayor Dario Zurovec.
The project of the City of Kutina will assess the geothermal potential of the exploration area of Kutina for the production and combined use of geothermal energy (remote heating system and commercial use) through the investigation of geothermal aquifers, primarily aquifers developed in Kutina sandstones of Pannonian age that were exposed by the Batina-1 well, and which are also distributed in the area of the City of Kutina. The first step of the City of Kutina in this direction is the completed analysis of possible sources of renewable energy on its own territory. “We already have existing wells in our area, but they have proven to have potential and this project will help to bring them up to date. Their further exploitation will be in the direction of heating, for which we plan to build two more production wells to meet the needs of public and residential buildings and the economy”, said Mišel Novosel, the project manager in the City of Kutina.
More information on non-refundable grants can be found on the following websites:
https://eeagrants.hr/programi/energija-i-klimatske-promjene/
Working together for a green, competitive and inclusive Europe | www.eeagrants.hr
The project ” Development of technical documentation for the use of geothermal energy” is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 with national co-funding from the Republic of Croatia under the “Energy and Climate Change” Programme.
Sustainable development and protection of the environment are the goals of the project – once the projects following the drilling of the well and the acquisition of the exploitation field are completed, CO2 emissions will be reduced and energy will be used that is independent of weather conditions and the price of energy sources.
The published content is the sole responsibility of the project promoter City of Sveta Nedelja and the project partners EKOPLODOVI d.o.o. and EFLA Consulting Engineers, and in no way reflects the views of the Energy and Climate Change Programme Manager.
