The planned deep geothermal project of Erdwärme Herrsching GmbH (EWH) in Herrsching in Bavaria, Germany had appeared to be progressing nicely, securing the plot of land for drilling in late 2024 with the approval of the Southern Bavaria Mining Authority. However, the local municipal council, including Mayor Christian Schiller, expressed its disapproval of the drilling site and is now offering an alternative site.
According to a statement from the municipal council, its disapproval of the proposed drilling site was due to its proximity to the Herrsching Moor nature reserve. EWH clarifies that the planned drilling site is located on agricultural land and is outside the nature reserve and any protected areas. The regulatory process has verified that the project complies with all legal distance and safety requirements, and there are is no risks to flora, fauna, or protected habitats.
At a press conference, Schiller announced that the municipal council is offering an alternative drilling site at a property on Seefelder Straße, where construction of a hospital had previously been planned. The mayor explained that the offer had already been made to the company in July, but that it had declined a preliminary meeting.
A project of overriding public interest
It is important to note that the project was granted the land adjacent to the nature reserve as it is considered to be of “overriding public interest.” Thus, concerns regarding nature conservation play a subordinate role. This also means that the municipality has little influence on whether the project will proceed. Its only leverage would be access to a section of an existing road which EWH will need to access the drilling site.
Sophie Birner, Project Manager at EWH, commented that the municipality is yet to determine whether the hospital site is a viable alternative drilling site. Moreover, investigations done over the past three years would have to be reevaluated and re-examined before the alternative drilling site can be determined to be suitable. In an official statement, EWH says that drilling at different site would mean going through a new approval process with the Southern Bavaria Mining Authority.
The developer is still appealing for support from the municipal council, especially as it needs municipal approval to build a 200-meter path to the drilling site. This will be a temporary bypass through agricultural land which the company will completely dismantle and restore after the drilling work is completed.
The developer, then known as Geothermie Ammersee, had previously attempted a crowdfunding campaign to generate capital for the project. A statement made by the company in 2023 indicated that the timeline of the permitting process could not be reconciled with the crowdfunding project. Thus, the company sought to realize the first project with a traditional investor.
