en.Wedoany.com Reported - The geothermal heating project planned by the "Future Heating M West" (ZMW) joint venture in Bavaria, Germany, has received federal funding from the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). The project aims to supply heat to Germering, Puchheim, and the western Munich area. With this funding, the project will skip the feasibility study phase, with the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructure and Geothermal Systems (IEG) directly conducting the relevant research work.
ZMW was jointly established in July 2025 by the neighboring cities of Germering (25% stake) and Puchheim (15% stake) along with the utility company Munich Municipal Utilities (SWM, 60% stake). Shortly after its formation, the parties decided to jointly develop the geothermal project in the region, with geothermal exploration licenses having been granted to ZMW earlier this year.
The funding comes from the Federal Funding Program for Efficient District Heating Networks (BEW) and will cover up to 50% of the costs for the next project phase. Fraunhofer IEG, responsible for the research, will evaluate potential geothermal sites within the licensed area to determine priority development locations and collect key technical data to inform subsequent planning. Preliminary results from the current investigation phase are expected to be published by the end of 2026.
The planned geothermal heating facility could potentially begin operation as early as 2033.
Following local elections, newly elected Germering Mayor Daniel Liebetruth and Puchheim Mayor Thomas Hofschuster will represent their respective cities in the ZMW project. The ZMW general meeting was last held at the end of April, coinciding with the final days of the previous mayors' terms. Former Germering Mayor Andreas Haas and former Puchheim Mayor Norbert Seidl took the opportunity to formally hand over geothermal energy-related matters to their successors. ZMW Managing Director Christine Cröniger stated that the project's realization would not have been possible without the commitment of the two former mayors and expressed delight that the new mayors will continue to support the project. Daniel Liebetruth emphasized that through deep geothermal energy, they have the ability to control future heat supply, with the goal of providing long-term sustainable, secure, and affordable heat for local residents. Thomas Hofschuster added that deep geothermal energy offers significant potential for climate-neutral heating, while ensuring the project remains economically viable and affordable for all parties in the long term.
