"The research has confirmed the existence of geothermal potential in the areas of Virovitica, Orahovica, Slatina and Nova Bukovica. An exploration well was drilled in the area of Čađavica and a geothermal spring was discovered at a depth of 4,300 metres. There are plans to build a 20-megawatt geothermal power plant, which could become the biggest such plant in Europe," Virovitica-Podravina County head Igor Andrović said.
Studies have been made to assess the geothermal potential of Orahovica, Slatina and Nova Bukovica as has a study of the hydro-geothermal potential of the county.
The Economy Ministry has issued five exploration permits, Andrović said.
The value of the project, which started in 2019, is €304,169.82, of which 258,544.34 are grants. The project was financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund.
"I believe that geothermal energy will be discovered that can be used not only for the plant but also to reduce the cost of heating for greenhouses," the county head said.
The project also covered a geothermal water well, Virovitica GT-1. Documentation for that well has been completed up to the stage of work on drilling an exploration well. Once the well is drilled, its potential will be explored to see how it could be used in the future. This is the first stage towards starting the use of geothermal energy in the Virovitica 2 exploration area.
This well is projected to be drilled to the depth of 1,300 metres and hot water is expected to be found already at the depth of 600 metres, said Željko Habijanec of the ECO CONSULTING d.o.o. company.