Tenders for the exploration of geothermal water for energy purposes at four blocks in the Drava valley in northwestern Croatia are launched, said Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency (AZU). The deadline for the submission of bids is 1 September.
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.
