A conflict between a geothermal greenhouse project and a geothermal bath project in the state of Styria in Austria has now caused a delay in drilling operations, which should have already commenced.
In the municipality of Neudau, fruit and vegetable producer Frutura Obst & Gemüse Kompetenzzentrum GmbH (Frutura) is planning a large geothermal greenhouse project after being selected as the operator in 2025, as ThinkGeoEnergy reported. The project was scheduled to be completed by 2027, and thus a well was planned to be drilled by early 2026. Unfortunately, landowner Alexander Kottulinsky fears that a conflict with another geothermal project could delay it for another year or more.
The conflict has arisen because another geothermal well has been proposed to be drilled for the Bad Blumau thermal baths. With the project site only 7 kilometers away, the authorities decided that drilling cannot be implemented simultaneously due to environmental reasons. Thus, the authorities must now assess which project can begin first.
Around EUR 90 million will be invested for the project, which will also supply heating to the communities of Neudau, Burgau, and Stegersbach as early as the next winter. As Kottulinsky says, the additional costs due to the delay cannot be estimated at this point. Project manager Peter Miksch, however, remains positive that their project will be given priority.
Source: Tiefe Geothermie and Kleine Zeitung
