en.Wedoany.com Reported - An exploratory drilling campaign has confirmed shallow geothermal potential in at least six municipalities in Tarragona, Spain. The results of this campaign have now been used to develop geothermal heating and cooling plans for each municipality, but securing initial project investment remains a major challenge.
The city of Tarragona, in collaboration with the Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia (ICGC), supervised the construction of geothermal boreholes in six different municipalities under a contract worth EUR 120,000. The project is funded by the Nuclear Transition Fund, which supports energy transition efforts as the Ascó and Vandellòs nuclear power plants are gradually decommissioned. According to the study results, all six municipalities—including Ascó, Mont-roig del Camp, Montbrió del Camp, Flix, Ulldemolins, and El Perelló—show promising prospects for geothermal development.
Development plans vary for each municipality. In Ulldemolins, a €2 million plan proposes drilling approximately 90 boreholes to provide heating and cooling for about one-third of the municipal area. In Montbrió del Camp, a geothermal network supplied by around 152 boreholes could provide heating and cooling for approximately 99 apartment buildings, with an estimated investment of €2.8 million. Flix Mayor Francesc Barbero noted that Flix is located in an area with significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, and geothermal energy serves as a stabilizing factor. Municipal representatives expressed optimism about the study results but voiced concerns about securing initial investment. Mayor Barbero emphasized that subsidies are crucial for infrastructure projects of this scale. The municipality of Mont-roig del Camp is awaiting subsidy approval from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE).
Spain has been developing and researching shallow geothermal energy for heating and cooling for years, with applications ranging from transportation hubs to schools. Recently, interest in exploring high-temperature geothermal resources in Madrid has grown. On Tenerife, geothermal drilling has begun, targeting high-temperature resources at depths of 2,500 to 3,000 meters.
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