Germany accelerates geothermal energy projects
The German cabinet approved on Wednesday a draft bill aimed at accelerating the rollout geothermal projects as part of Germany's goal to eliminate fossil-fuel-based heating before 2045.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, interest in geothermal power has risen. This is due to a rise in energy costs, which has prompted both municipal utilities as well as energy companies, to look for new low-carbon heating options.
The German push to reduce emissions in the building sector - where heating is one of the major contributors - has further fueled investment.
A 2023 Fraunhofer Institute study found that Germany has some of Europe's biggest geothermal reserves. These reserves could supply more than a quarter its annual heating requirements. Local opposition and complicated regulatory hurdles have slowed development for many years.
The proposed legislation aims to reduce red tape through streamlining the approval process for geothermal, heat pump, thermal storage and district heating pipelines.
The project would be classified as "of overriding public importance" -- the same classification granted to wind and Solar energy -- and faster permits would be introduced through changes in mining, water and environmental laws.
The bill also sets strict timelines for the government authorities to approve project and relaxes restrictions geothermal exploration.
The final approval of the draft law is now up to the Bundestag upper house and Bundesrat lower house. Reporting by Riham alkousaa Editing Made by Chambers
(source: Reuters)
