Seven municipalities in Poland, including Kalisz, Barlinek, Kazimierz Biskupi, Kruszwica, Police, Włocławek and Września, have signed agreements to initiate test drilling for geothermal energy.
The projects are backed by over 115 million Polish zloty (26.3 million euros) in funding from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) to assess the feasibility of using thermal water deposits as a sustainable heating source.
The agreements were officially signed on 21 October 2024, at a ceremony in Września attended by the Minister of Climate and Environment, Paulina Hennig-Kloska. The initiative aims to identify geothermal resources at depths reaching up to 3 kilometres, with the deepest borehole planned in Kruszwica, extending to 3,290 metres.
Minister Hennig-Kloska highlighted the importance of state support in advancing geothermal projects, stating, “Geothermal sources, while not a national heat solution, can address significant local heating needs and even support agriculture or tourism, such as geothermal pools.”
Września, a city with a geothermal research history dating back to the 1970s, illustrates the long-term commitment required for such projects. Authorities noted that transitioning from initial plans to active implementation often necessitates government support.
Each test borehole will cost several million Polish zloty, covering preparatory activities, drilling, and extensive hydrogeological, geophysical and laboratory analyses. Several other municipalities, including Szczecin and Myślibórz, are also preparing to sign similar agreements with the NFOŚiGW.
The ceremony also included the signing of a separate agreement for the Września Agglomeration’s water and sewage management project. Valued at 78 million Polish zloty (17.8 million euros) with nearly 45 million Polish zloty(10.3 million euros) funded by the EU’s FEnIKS programme, this project will upgrade the local sewage treatment plant to boost its capacity and improve sewage treatment. It includes plans to integrate a smart water supply network and water loss management system, enabling real-time monitoring and rapid response to potential water leaks.