Templin Lies on a Hot River: How Geothermal Energy Could Secure Affordable District Heating
By: Robert Buluma
A Hidden Treasure Beneath the Uckermark
For more than 25 years, the NaturTherme Templin has been pumping thermal brine from a depth of 1,650 meters, using it as a healing remedy. The water that rises from this depth has a temperature of 57.7 degrees Celsius—impressive by any measure, but only a fraction of what lies beneath. During a routine annual check-up of the production well, geothermal specialists from Neubrandenburg posed a question that would set in motion one of the most ambitious energy projects in the region: Did the city even know what treasure it was sitting on?
The answer, it turned out, was no. And that realization has since transformed Templin into a pioneer in Germany's heating transition.
The Assessment That Changed Everything
The city was already working on a heating concept aimed at achieving a sustainable, fossil-fuel-independent supply. The NaturTherme Templin, as a municipal company, commissioned a comprehensive assessment to examine the potential of geothermal energy. What the analysis revealed exceeded all expectations.
In the peripheral area of the existing thermal borehole, even hotter thermal brine could be tapped—with temperatures exceeding 70 degrees Celsius. This puts Templin in a league of its own compared to other cities in the region: Prenzlau reaches 44 degrees, Neuruppin 60 degrees, Schwerin 56 degrees, and Neubrandenburg 55 degrees. The higher the temperature, the more efficient the geothermal system—and Templin's资源优势 translates directly into exceptional efficiency for a future geothermal-fed heating supply.
Completed in late 2025, the assessment provided the city with a comprehensive roadmap. It estimated the total investment volume—covering deep drilling, pipeline construction, follow-up costs, amortization, inflation, and price increases—at €20 to 22 million. This figure has since been confirmed and the investment formally approved.
A Resource That Keeps on Giving
Perhaps the most remarkable finding concerns the longevity of the resource. Even at only 50 percent pumping capacity, the thermal water could fully cover the heating needs of the thermal baths themselves. But the real headline is this: even if the city were to supply the entire southern part of Templin—including adjacent tourist facilities, schools, and kindergartens—with district heating from this single hot source, the "hot river" would not run dry even after 30 years. The thermal water would only cool down slightly; it would still be possible to pump 72-degree hot water after three decades of continuous use.
This combination of high temperature and long-term sustainability makes Templin's geothermal potential exceptional not just for Brandenburg, but for all of Germany.
From Vision to Reality: The Road Ahead
The project has quickly moved from assessment to action. In a fundamental resolution, the Templin city council cleared the way for the next planning steps. The city, the NaturTherme, and the district heating company are jointly developing the project. The next phases include applying for the required mining law permits and preparing the financing. The city is relying on funding from the Federal Program for Efficient Heating Networks (BEW) as well as other support and financing instruments.
The geothermal decision represents the most expensive and far-reaching energy policy move for the current administration. However, there is strong confidence regarding financing: Templin's per capita debt is only about €71 per resident, and the investments will be spread over several years. Federal funding can also flow into the project, and the city expects about seven million euros from the federal special fund. The financial outlook is considered manageable given the long-term benefits.
If permits and financing are secured, those responsible expect drilling to begin as early as 2029. The goal is to make the heat supply independent of fossil fuels in the long term and to enable stable district heating prices for households, public institutions, and businesses.
A Model for Small Cities
Templin is not alone in its ambitions. Throughout Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, numerous small and medium-sized cities are currently examining their geothermal potential. Neuruppin, Gransee, Waren, Boizenburg, Ludwigslust, Güstrow, Lübz, Parchim, Plau, Neustrelitz, Stavenhagen, and Burg Stargard are all preparing projects or are close to initial drilling. Templin, however, stands out due to the exceptional temperature of its resource.
The city has also been proactive in municipal heat planning. Templin is considered a pioneer in heat planning among smaller cities. It began work on a municipal heat plan early, which will become mandatory for all municipalities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants from 2028. The heat planning, carried out in cooperation with TÜV Rheinland Consulting and greenventory GmbH, created a digital twin of the city to analyze energy demand, greenhouse gas emissions, and existing infrastructure. The analysis identified solar and geothermal energy as the greatest heat generation potentials, with lake heat also playing a significant role.
The Challenge of Implementation
Despite the optimism, the path to geothermal heating is not without challenges. A delegation from Templin visited the geothermal plant in Neustadt-Glewe to learn about the technology firsthand. The visit made clear that geothermal energy is neither a short-term solution nor a "bargain tariff". The construction of a geothermal plant involves not only very high costs (€15 to 20 million) but also technological risks—including the risk of whether there is actually enough warm water at the drilled depth for large-scale use. At least 500,000 cubic meters of thermal brine per year would need to be extracted. In addition to the actual geothermal plant, the laying of further district heating pipes or the renewal of existing ones is necessary.
Nevertheless, the city and its partners are determined to move forward. The comprehensive assessment has provided the necessary confidence, and the exceptional temperature of the resource offers a significant efficiency advantage that can help offset the high upfront costs.
A Hot Future for Templin
Templin's journey from a city with a thermal bath to a potential geothermal hub illustrates the opportunities of the heating transition for small and medium-sized municipalities. The city sits on a "hot river" that could secure affordable, fossil-free district heating for decades to come. With an investment of around €22 million, Templin could not only decarbonize its own heat supply but also serve as a model for other communities exploring their geothermal potential.
Templin lies on a warm river, and the question now is whether the city will succeed in harnessing this river to secure a hot, affordable, and sustainable future for its residents. Given the data at hand, the answer appears to be a resounding yes—and the heat beneath Templin's feet may just be the salvation the city has been waiting for.
Source : Nordkurier
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