A geothermal resource with temperatures over 100 °C has been confirmed after drilling of geothermal well GT-1 in Vinkovci, Croatia. The expert team measured a maximum temperature of 131 °C at the Vinkovci GT-1 well at a depth of 2,700 meters, thus presenting the possibility of using the thermal waters for district heating.
The project and research are being carried out by the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency (Agencija za ugljikovodike / AZU), and the works are being carried out by Crosco – naftni servisi doo, a member of the INA Group.
“Research has confirmed what we believed from the beginning, Vinkovci and our region have enormous geothermal potential. In our underground lies the energy of the future that will allow us to no longer depend on external factors and changes in energy prices, to embark on the path of energy independence, economic resilience and a sustainable future,” said Vinkovci Mayor Josip Romic in a post on Facebook.
Drilling in Vinkovci started in September 2025. This is now the third site in Croatia where high-temperature geothermal resources have been confirmed, following similar observations in Velika Gorica and Osijek. Preparation of the drilling site is now ongoing for the fourth location in Zaprešic. All four sites had been identified by AZU for the program “Preparation and exploration of geothermal potential in the context of centralized heating.” AZU has received EUR 50.8 million from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) to implement the project.
The Mayor added that the project will now move to the next phase which will involve conducting studies, preparing the technical documentation, and planning the heating pipeline routes. The aim is to build a modern district heating system that will provide more affordable heating for over 1700 households in Vinkovci.
“I would especially like to thank the Hydrocarbons Agency for its exceptional cooperation and support. Projects like this are the best example of how, through cooperation between local governments and national institutions, we can achieve great things and build a healthy and safe future for generations to come,” added Mayor Romic.
Source: Gradonacelnik and Josip Romic via Facebook
