Riehen receives the green light for geothermal expansion
Riehen can advance the expansion of another geothermal system. At the end of the referendum period, the decision of the residents' council is now final. Studies for feasibility are now planned. Drilling could begin in 2023.
Riehen can continue with its planning for the expansion of another geothermal system. It would increase the number of residents supplied with climate-friendly thermal energy from the current 8,500 to 12,500. The referendum period expired at the end of October. The positive decision from the residents' council is now legally binding. This is now announced by Wärmeverbund Riehen AG ( WVR ).
In the next step, seismic surveys to explore the subsurface for the geo2riehen project are due in summer 2021. A suitable location for the boreholes is thus sought. If the feasibility of the plant is confirmed, drilling could begin in 2023. They should open up more naturally occurring thermal water for heat utilization.
An already existing feasibility study confirms that the project has “good prospects for success”. The drilling to promote the thermal water and the construction of the facility will cost around 20 million francs. The costs are shared between the two shareholders, the municipality of Riehen and the Basel energy supplier IWB . The Swiss Federal Office of Energy has promised a grant of 1.2 million francs and has announced a further 5.1 million francs.
IWB's stake has risen from initially 27 to 50 percent. According to the WVR, this not only makes financing easier. The operation of the systems and the growing supply network can also be better coordinated with IWB: "The gradual and partial shutdown of the gas supply is thus optimally coordinated with the growth of the Riehen heating network."