Skip to main content

Just In

Eavor Demobilizes Rigs in Geretsried: What It Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal Investors, Heat Markets, and Project Risk

Eavor Demobilizes Rigs from Geretsried: What It Really Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal For three years, two drilling rigs on a farm estate near Geretsried, a Bavarian town about 40 km south of Munich, stood as the symbol of the world's most ambitious closed-loop geothermal experiment. Now in October 2026,  Eavor Technologies, the Calgary-based developer of the Eavor-Loop, has told the town and its heating utility that both rigs would leave the site . The company said keeping idle rigs and specialist services on site was costly, and that releasing them would help put the project in the strongest position to continue with Loop 2 once its commercial structure is reworked . On the surface, this is a logistics decision. Underneath, it is one of the clearest signals yet about where first-of-a-kind geothermal technology stands, and how hard it is to turn a technical proof into a bankable business. This article explains exactly what happened, what the move means and what it does not mean...

Eavor Inks A Deal To Supply Geretsreid With Geothermal Energy

Geretsried Sets the Stage for Climate Neutrality with Innovative Geothermal Energy Project

By:Robert Buluma

Nestled in the heart of Bavaria, the picturesque town of Geretsried is poised to become a beacon of sustainable living and environmental stewardship with its latest groundbreaking initiative – a pioneering geothermal energy project. In a triumphant collaboration between the local government, the Geretsried Municipal Utilities, and Eavor ErdwĂ€rme Geretsried GmbH, the town has embarked on a journey towards a greener, more resilient future.

The recent signing of a heat supply contract marks a significant milestone in Geretsried's quest for renewable energy dominance. With the agreement in place, Isar Loisach NaturwÀrme GmbH, a subsidiary of the Geretsried Municipal Utilities, will receive up to 81,200 MWh/year of clean, CO2-free heat from Eavor ErdwÀrme Geretsried GmbH. This partnership heralds a new era of sustainable energy production, positioning Geretsried as a trailblazer in the race towards carbon neutrality.

Mayor Michael MĂŒller underscored the importance of this contract for Geretsried's citizens, emphasizing the role of geothermal energy in driving the local energy transition. "The utilization of geothermal resources is essential for our region and Bavaria as a whole," remarked Mayor MĂŒller. "By harnessing the power of the earth's natural warmth, we can provide reliable, eco-friendly heating solutions for our community."

The ambitious project, slated for completion by 2025/2026, will see the expansion of Geretsried's district heating network to encompass key areas such as schools, businesses, and residential neighborhoods. Spearheading this endeavor is Jan DĂŒhring, CEO of the Geretsried Municipal Utilities, who expressed unwavering commitment to the project's success. "We are fully dedicated to expanding the necessary infrastructure for geothermal utilization," affirmed DĂŒhring. "Through diligent planning and execution, we aim to realize the full potential of renewable energy in Geretsried."

We reported earlier on on this project in Geretsreid and we are happy to see the outcome of it At the forefront of innovation is Eavor ErdwĂ€rme Geretsried GmbH, whose revolutionary Eavor-Loop™ technology promises to redefine the landscape of the heating sector. Daniel Mölk, Managing Director of Eavor ErdwĂ€rme Geretsried GmbH, hailed the contract as a landmark achievement, positioning Geretsried as a model for municipalities striving towards climate neutrality. "This project signifies a paradigm shift in the energy sector," proclaimed Mölk. "By embracing cutting-edge solutions like the Eavor-Loop™ technology, Geretsried is paving the way for a sustainable future."

As Geretsried charts a course towards a greener tomorrow, the community eagerly anticipates the tangible benefits of this visionary project. From reduced carbon emissions to enhanced energy security, the geothermal initiative promises to leave an indelible mark on Geretsried's landscape, serving as a testament to the town's unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.

Just recently Eavor topped the Geothermal startup list With Its top notch Technology and the company has stayed on top when it comes to Geothermal

With each step forward, Geretsried reaffirms its position as a trailblazer in the global fight against climate change, inspiring communities far and wide to embrace innovative solutions and forge a path towards a sustainable future. As the world looks on, Geretsried stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when determination, innovation, and collaboration converge in pursuit of a common goal – a brighter, greener tomorrow for generations to come.

Source:geretsried

Connect with us:Alphaxioms

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Ijen vs Zanskar: Blind Geothermal Energy Discovery and Development

Ijen’s Blind Geothermal System vs. Zanskar’s AI-Discovered Resources: Two Models for Finding Hidden Heat The geothermal industry is entering a new phase in which the most valuable resources may no longer be the fields marked by obvious hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, or steaming ground. Increasingly, developers are targeting “blind” or hidden geothermal systems,reservoirs that lack clear surface expressions but can still contain the temperature, permeability, and fluid needed for commercial power generation. Two examples illustrate how different parts of the industry are approaching this challenge. In Indonesia, the Blawan-Ijen geothermal field in East Java was developed through geological interpretation, magnetotelluric imaging, conceptual modelling, and drilling. The project is now operating commercially, with its first phase delivering approximately 35 MW to the Java grid under a 30-year power purchase agreement.  In the United States, Zanskar Geothermal & Minerals is using...

Eavor Demobilizes Rigs in Geretsried: What It Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal Investors, Heat Markets, and Project Risk

Eavor Demobilizes Rigs from Geretsried: What It Really Means for Closed-Loop Geothermal For three years, two drilling rigs on a farm estate near Geretsried, a Bavarian town about 40 km south of Munich, stood as the symbol of the world's most ambitious closed-loop geothermal experiment. Now in October 2026,  Eavor Technologies, the Calgary-based developer of the Eavor-Loop, has told the town and its heating utility that both rigs would leave the site . The company said keeping idle rigs and specialist services on site was costly, and that releasing them would help put the project in the strongest position to continue with Loop 2 once its commercial structure is reworked . On the surface, this is a logistics decision. Underneath, it is one of the clearest signals yet about where first-of-a-kind geothermal technology stands, and how hard it is to turn a technical proof into a bankable business. This article explains exactly what happened, what the move means and what it does not mean...

Vercana Electric Rig Advances Geothermal Brine Lithium Extraction Economics

Electric-Rig Direct Lithium Extraction From Geothermal Brine: The Economics of Vercana Versus Ormat Vulcan Energy Resources is pursuing an integrated model that combines geothermal drilling, direct lithium extraction, renewable electricity and industrial heat. Through its Vercana subsidiary, the company is also using electric drilling equipment designed to support the development of its Lionheart project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley. The approach differs from the conventional geothermal model represented by Ormat Technologies, whose core business remains geothermal power generation, equipment, project development and energy storage rather than commercial lithium recovery from geothermal brine.  The economic question is broader than whether an electric drilling rig costs less to operate than a diesel rig. The more important issue is whether electric drilling, geothermal energy and direct lithium extraction can create a more valuable integrated project than a conventional geotherm...

IID Secures Major, Local Geothermal Agreement to Strengthen Reliability

IID Secures 86 MW of Geothermal Power in Major Salton Sea Agreement The Imperial Irrigation District has signed 10-year agreements with BHE Renewables, through its CalEnergy subsidiary, to secure 86 megawatts of around-the-clock geothermal power from two established projects in California’s Imperial Valley. The agreement will strengthen IID’s electricity reliability, support renewable-energy compliance and help meet growing demand across the Imperial and Coachella valleys. The new contracts cover 44 MW from the Salton Sea 4 geothermal project and 42 MW from the Leathers geothermal project. Deliveries are scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027, giving IID access to dependable renewable electricity during a period of rising summer demand and increasing pressure on power systems across the American West. The agreement represents an important step in IID’s long-term resource planning. It combines existing geothermal generation with additional capacity from the Yuma Cogeneration facility in ...

California Court Orders New Environmental Review for Imperial County Geothermal Lithium Project

California Appeals Court Orders New Environmental Review for Imperial County Geothermal–Lithium Project Image: California Salton Lake Sea Hell’s Kitchen geothermal and lithium extraction plan sent back for deeper water, air-quality and mitigation analysis under CEQA A California appeals court has ordered Imperial County to conduct a more rigorous environmental review of the proposed Hell’s Kitchen geothermal power plant and lithium extraction project near the Salton Sea. The Fourth District Court of Appeal found that the county’s original environmental impact report (EIR) did not adequately address long-term water availability, enforceable mitigation measures for water shortages, or potential air-quality impacts tied to the receding Salton Sea. The ruling partially reverses a lower court decision and remands the case to Imperial County Superior Court, requiring the county and project developer Controlled Thermal Resources to address the identified deficiencies before the project can m...

Geothermal Projects In Africa, Countries Overview

 Geothermal Projects in Africa: Country-wise Overview By : Robert Buluma Africa is increasingly turning to geothermal energy as a sustainable solution to meet its growing electricity demands. With abundant geothermal resources spread across the continent, several countries have embarked on ambitious projects to harness this clean and renewable energy source. Let's delve into the geothermal projects in various African countries, highlighting key players and prospects. Algeria Algeria is exploring its geothermal potential, particularly in the northern regions. Although in the early stages, initiatives are underway to assess feasibility and potential locations for geothermal power plants.  Burundi Burundi has shown interest in developing its geothermal resources, primarily in the northwest region near Lake Tanganyika. The government is actively seeking partnerships with international firms to kickstart exploration and development efforts. Comoros The Comoros Islands are situated ...

Maryland Geothermal Rebate Program 2026: Residential Heating and Cooling Incentives Drive Strong Demand

Maryland’s Geothermal Rebate Program  FY26 Geothermal Rebate Program is entering its final stretch with funding already oversubscribed, which is a strong sign that homeowner interest in geothermal heating and cooling is rising quickly in the state.  The program offers a $3,000 rebate for eligible new geothermal heating and cooling systems for Maryland residents in single-family detached homes and townhomes, but the application portal is now closed while the state works through the existing queue. That update matters because it shows how incentive programs can move from a policy idea into real household demand very quickly. A program with a $150,000 budget does not usually run out of room unless homeowners, contractors, and installers all see geothermal as a practical investment. In Maryland’s case, the fact that requests exceeded the full FY26 budget suggests the market is responding to both energy-cost concerns and long-term efficiency goals. What the program offers The Maryl...

Endurance Energy Tests World's First Subsea Geothermal Well at Axial Seamount

Endurance Energy Tests the World's First Subsea Geothermal Well: What the Axial Seamount Demonstration Really Proved What if geothermal energy did not need a power plant on land? What if electricity could be produced directly from the Earth's heat beneath the ocean, with generators sitting on the seafloor and sending power to coastal grids? On October 19, 2026, Seattle-based startup Endurance Energy announced a major step toward that idea. The company said it had drilled and completed the world's first subsea geothermal well and placed a 3-ton test power plant nearly a mile beneath the Pacific. It also reported net-positive electricity from heat at an active underwater volcano, according to its announcement on PR Newswire. The headline numbers are modest. The Adélie prototype produced more electricity than it used for about 8.7 seconds. During that time it delivered a median net output of about 2 kilowatts and a peak of 16.5 kilowatts. One detail matters more than any other...

"US Geothermal Tax Credits 2026: What the IRA/45Q Changes Mean for Developers"

US Geothermal Tax Credits in 2026: What Is Actually Still Alive After OBBBA For an industry that spent more than a decade building financial models around a stable federal incentive structure, 2026 has been a year of whiplash. The 30% federal geothermal tax credit that developers and homeowners built forecasts around is gone in one form and still alive in another, and even the IRS’s own public guidance has been confusing enough to trigger uncertainty across the market. That confusion is not a minor clerical issue. It is shaping investment decisions, contractor sales pitches, homeowner timelines, and project finance assumptions right now. If you work in geothermal, the key question is no longer whether federal incentives exist, but which incentive applies, to which project type, and under what ownership structure. The law that changed the timeline To understand where things stand in 2026, you have to start with the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which created a long runway for clean e...

KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Geothermal Wells Over Licence Error

KenGen Risks Losing Olkaria Wells Over 18-Year Licence Blunder Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) faces a serious legal and operational risk at Olkaria after an error in the coordinates of its geothermal licence left part of the company’s wells, steam infrastructure and other assets outside its legally recognised area. The licensing mistake, made nearly two decades ago, remains unresolved despite the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum acknowledging the problem in 2017.  The dispute has raised questions about the security of KenGen’s investments, the government’s management of geothermal resources and the potential consequences for Kenya’s electricity supply. Olkaria is the country’s most important geothermal centre and accounts for the overwhelming majority of Kenya’s installed geothermal generation capacity.  Licence Error Exposes Strategic Assets The problem dates back to September 19, 2008, when the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum issued KenGen a licence covering ...