Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 6, Vulcan Energy has signed a €110 million engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with a consortium of Turboden and ROM Technik to build its first commercial geothermal power plant in Landau, Germany. The agreement is a significant milestone for the Phase One Lionheart Project, located in the Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field, combining renewable energy production with lithium extraction.

The Vercana drilling rig at the Schleidberg site near Landau, Germany

The geothermal plant will utilize Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology to generate renewable electricity from geothermal brine, alongside producing up to 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually, sufficient for batteries in approximately 500,000 electric vehicles. The plant is expected to deliver up to 275 GWh of power per year. Building permits for the 30 MW geothermal facility and electrical substation have been approved by the City of Landau Council.

Turboden, an Italian company under Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, will supply the ORC system, including turbines, heat exchangers, pumps, and related equipment. ROM Technik, a German firm specializing in technical building equipment, will manage civil works, installation, and contractor coordination. The consortium will also oversee commissioning and performance testing, with payments tied to project milestones, pending Vulcan’s final financing arrangements in the second half of 2025.

Cris Moreno, CEO of Vulcan Energy, stated: “The geothermal power plant is a key component of our Phase One operation. Securing the services of both Turboden and ROM Technik will underpin construction and ensure reliable execution. This is yet another milestone in our aim to deliver a local, low-cost source of sustainable lithium for the European battery supply chain, with a co-product of renewable energy production.”

The Lionheart Project supports sustainable energy and battery production in Europe, leveraging the region’s geothermal resources. Turboden, established in 1980, is a global leader in ORC technology for geothermal and industrial decarbonization, while ROM Technik brings expertise in large-scale installation projects. The initiative is expected to create economic opportunities in Landau through job creation and infrastructure development, contributing to Germany’s renewable energy goals and the European electric vehicle industry.