At the tender for the exploration of geothermal water for energy purposes, Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency (AZU) received a total of nine bids from seven different bidders at all four blocks in the Drava valley in north-eastern Croatia. AZU said that the names of local and foreign companies interested in geothermal explorations in Croatia will be revealed after the initial evaluation of received bids.
The four blocks – Ernestinovo, Lunjkovec-Kutnjak, Legrad-1 and Merhatovec, cover a total area of 207 square kilometers. The water temperature at these locations exceeds 100 degrees Celsius, which is the minimum required for electricity generation. The combined potential of the deposits is around 50 MW of electricity. The statement from AZU said that the potential of exploration areas has been identified in earlier wells drilled for oil and gas exploration and production, which now greatly reduces the risk and costs to future investors. In addition to electricity, geothermal energy has great potential in district heating, where future investors, in cooperation with the local community, have the opportunity to cascade production – from electricity, district heating to agriculture where geothermal water is used to heat greenhouses.
