Eavor Technologies Inc. expects its closed-loop geothermal pilot plant in Geretsried, southern Germany, to begin operations before the end of the year, subject to commissioning progress and regulatory approvals. Initially, as we reported in early 2025, initial plans were to launch it in the first half of 2025.
Two articles shared recently, provide a little bit more detail on the project and development, that we thought are worth sharing.
First loop nearing completion
The project comprises four planned subsurface loops. For the first loop, Eavor drilled two vertical wells to about 4.5 kilometres, supported by horizontal multilateral branches extending roughly 2.9 kilometres each. According to company statements, the drilling phase for this initial loop is close to completion, and surface facilities are being prepared for circulation tests.
Eavor reports that drilling times for the horizontal sections improved over the course of the campaign, with laterals completed in roughly half the time required for earlier wells. The company states that this could increase projected heat-extraction rates for each loop.
Planned output and operating targets
Once fully commissioned, the Geretsried facility is designed to supply 8.2 MWe and up to 64 MW thermal for the local district-heating network. Eavor maintains the goal of initiating first production before year-end, though this remains dependent on system testing and field performance. The company also plans start on drilling the second loop in March of 2026.
The pilot is partly funded through the EU Innovation Fund, which supports early-stage low-carbon technologies across Europe.
Technology context
The project uses Eavor’s closed-loop system, a design that circulates working fluid through sealed wellbores without relying on natural reservoir permeability. The method aims to deliver predictable heat output while avoiding stimulation or fracture-based approaches.
Closed-loop geothermal has drawn attention as a potential option for regions with limited conventional geothermal resources. However, actual performance metrics, including temperature, flow behaviour and long-term thermal decline, will need to be demonstrated in the field. Eavor notes that the Geretsried pilot is intended to validate these technical and economic assumptions ahead of larger commercial deployments.
For the geothermal sector, it is seen as crucial for this project to deliver on the technical elements of operation given the attention the company and its project has received. The overall cost in developing these kinds of projects is seen as commercially tricky on achievable offtake agreements and tariffs, but hope is drilling cost can be decreased to make these projects economically viable. Eavor is currently also developing other projects in Germany, among others preparing a large-scale heat project for the city of Hannover.
Source: IEEE
