İpeks Jeotermal to Drill 10 Geothermal Wells for Greenhouse Heating in Afyonkarahisar

İpeks Jeotermal to Drill 10 New Geothermal Wells for Greenhouse Heating in Afyonkarahisar

İpeks Jeotermal Enerji Tarım Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. plans to drill 10 new geothermal production wells to increase the heating capacity of its greenhouse facility in Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye. The company also plans to add three reinjection wells as part of an investment valued at approximately 94.5 million Turkish lira.

The project will be developed in the İsmail, Çakır and Sadıkbey village areas of Afyonkarahisar’s central district, within the company’s existing geothermal licence area, identified as IR:122 and ER:3193230. The planned expansion is expected to improve the reliability of geothermal heat supplies for the company’s greenhouse operations while supporting the more efficient and sustainable use of the region’s geothermal resources.

Geothermal energy is increasingly being used in greenhouse agriculture because it can provide a stable source of heat throughout the year. Unlike solar and wind power, geothermal energy can deliver continuous thermal energy when an appropriate underground resource and suitable production infrastructure are available.

Project Overview

The planned development will expand an existing geothermal operation operated by İpeks Jeotermal, a subsidiary of Alarko Holding. The site currently contains four geothermal drilling wells and one greenhouse facility.

Geothermal water produced from the existing wells is used to heat a greenhouse covering approximately 26.52 hectares. Under the expansion plan, the company will establish 10 additional drilling points for production purposes and construct three new reinjection wells.

The project is designed to increase the availability of geothermal fluid for greenhouse operations. After the geothermal water is used for heating, it will be returned underground through reinjection wells rather than being discharged directly into the surrounding environment.

The investment demonstrates how geothermal resources can be used directly in agriculture. Although geothermal energy is often associated with electricity generation and thermal tourism, direct-use applications such as greenhouse heating can also provide significant economic value.

Location in Afyonkarahisar

The project will be carried out in the vicinity of İsmail, Çakır and Sadıkbey villages in the central district of Afyonkarahisar. The location forms part of an existing geothermal resource area operated under the company’s licence.

Afyonkarahisar is one of Türkiye’s important geothermal regions. Its geothermal resources support several applications, including greenhouse heating, thermal tourism, residential heating and other direct-use activities.

The availability of geothermal resources can provide an important advantage for greenhouse operators. Heating is one of the largest operating requirements in commercial greenhouses, especially during colder months. Access to a local geothermal resource can help reduce reliance on conventional fuels and provide a more predictable source of thermal energy.

The location of the wells will be determined through geological, geophysical and hydrogeological assessments. These studies help identify suitable drilling areas and evaluate the potential temperature, pressure and flow rate of the geothermal reservoir.

Ten New Production Wells

The central component of the project is the planned construction of 10 new geothermal production wells. These wells will be used to extract geothermal fluid for greenhouse heating.

A geothermal production well provides access to hot water or steam stored in an underground reservoir. The performance of each well depends on several technical factors, including reservoir temperature, permeability, pressure and flow rate.

The new wells are expected to supplement the four existing wells at the site. Increasing the number of production wells may help the company maintain a more reliable supply of geothermal fluid, particularly when heating demand rises during winter.

Additional wells can also provide operational flexibility. If one well requires maintenance or experiences reduced performance, other wells may help maintain the supply of geothermal fluid to the greenhouse system.

However, drilling remains one of the most technically and financially risky stages of a geothermal project. Actual well depth, production capacity and fluid characteristics can only be confirmed after drilling and testing have been completed.

Three Reinjection Wells

In addition to the 10 production wells, İpeks Jeotermal plans to construct three reinjection wells. Reinjection involves returning geothermal fluid to the underground reservoir after the heat has been extracted.

The geothermal water produced from the wells will be used in greenhouse operations. After passing through the heating system, the used fluid will be injected back into the reservoir through the reinjection wells.

Reinjection is an important part of responsible geothermal resource management. It can help maintain reservoir pressure, reduce the risk of surface discharge and support the long-term operation of the geothermal field.

The process also helps create a more circular system. Geothermal fluid is extracted, used to provide heat and then returned underground. This approach can reduce the environmental impact associated with disposing of geothermal water at the surface.

The location and design of reinjection wells must be carefully planned. If a reinjection well is placed too close to production wells, cooler water may reach the production zone prematurely. This phenomenon, known as thermal breakthrough, can reduce the temperature and performance of the geothermal resource.

Geothermal Heating for Greenhouses

Greenhouse heating is one of the most established direct uses of geothermal energy. Hot geothermal fluid can be transferred through heat exchangers, pipelines or closed-loop heating systems to maintain suitable growing conditions.

A geothermal greenhouse heating system generally includes production wells, pumps, transmission pipelines, heat exchangers, distribution networks and reinjection infrastructure. These components must operate together to deliver heat efficiently and safely.

The 26.52-hectare greenhouse at the İpeks Jeotermal site requires a consistent heating supply. Greenhouse temperatures must be controlled carefully to protect crops from cold conditions and support stable production.

Conventional greenhouse heating systems may rely on natural gas, coal, fuel oil or electricity. Fuel price volatility can make these systems expensive to operate. Geothermal energy can provide a more stable alternative where the resource is commercially viable and the necessary infrastructure is available.

The use of geothermal heat can also support the agricultural sector’s transition toward lower-carbon energy systems. While geothermal projects still require electricity for pumping and auxiliary equipment, direct heat use can reduce the need for fossil fuels in greenhouse operations.

Year-Round Operations

The planned facility is expected to operate throughout the year. Operations are scheduled for 12 months, with activity taking place 25 days per month and eight hours per day in a single shift.

This operating schedule reflects the continuous nature of geothermal energy and the production requirements of commercial greenhouse agriculture. Unlike seasonal renewable resources, geothermal reservoirs can provide heat day and night when properly managed.

A year-round geothermal operation requires regular monitoring and maintenance. Production wells, pumps, pipelines, heat exchangers and reinjection wells must be inspected to ensure that the system continues to perform efficiently.

The chemical composition of geothermal fluid must also be monitored. Dissolved minerals can create scaling, corrosion or blockages in pipes and heat-transfer equipment. Preventive maintenance and appropriate water-treatment procedures can help reduce these risks.

Operational data can provide valuable information about the performance of the geothermal field. Key indicators include well pressure, fluid temperature, flow rate, reinjection pressure and greenhouse heat demand.

Employment and Local Economic Benefits

The project is expected to employ approximately 25 people during the operational phase. These employees may be involved in well operations, greenhouse activities, mechanical maintenance, electrical systems, monitoring, safety and administration.

The economic impact of the investment could extend beyond direct employment. Geothermal greenhouse projects can generate demand for drilling services, pumps, pipes, engineering, equipment maintenance, transport and agricultural supplies.

Local businesses may benefit from supplying goods and services to the project. The expansion could also support related activities such as crop production, packaging, storage and logistics.

Geothermal greenhouse agriculture can contribute to regional economic development by linking the energy and agricultural sectors. The resource is used to provide heat, while the greenhouse creates agricultural output and employment.

The project may also contribute to the development of technical expertise in Afyonkarahisar. Geothermal operations require specialists such as drilling engineers, geologists, mechanical engineers, electrical technicians and greenhouse managers.

Environmental Management

Although geothermal energy is renewable, geothermal projects must still be developed and managed responsibly. Drilling and construction activities can create temporary impacts related to land use, noise, dust, traffic and waste.

The chemical characteristics of geothermal fluids are particularly important. Some fluids contain dissolved minerals and gases that require careful handling. Reinjection can help reduce the need for surface disposal, but the system must be designed and monitored properly.

The planned return of used geothermal fluid to the reservoir is a key environmental feature of the project. It can reduce the possibility of geothermal water reaching nearby surface-water systems.

Construction activities should be carried out in accordance with applicable environmental, water-resource, mining, land-use and occupational-safety requirements. Proper casing, cementing and well integrity procedures are also necessary to protect groundwater resources.

Environmental monitoring should continue throughout the operational life of the facility. This may include monitoring groundwater, surface water, soil conditions, emissions, noise and the performance of reinjection wells.

Investment and Financial Considerations

The project has an estimated investment value of 94.5 million Turkish lira. The investment will cover the drilling of 10 new production wells, the construction of three reinjection wells and associated infrastructure.

The financial performance of the project will depend on several factors. These include drilling success, well productivity, geothermal fluid temperature, greenhouse output, energy prices, maintenance expenses and crop-market conditions.

Drilling is often one of the most expensive stages of a geothermal development. A well may fail to achieve its expected depth, temperature or flow rate. Such results can affect the project’s capital costs and future revenues.

The reinjection system will also add to the initial investment requirement. However, reinjection infrastructure can support long-term reservoir performance and help the project meet environmental and regulatory expectations.

A successful geothermal greenhouse project must balance resource use, operating costs and agricultural productivity. Efficient heat-transfer equipment and effective reservoir management can improve the overall economics of the facility.

Importance for Afyonkarahisar

The expansion is significant for Afyonkarahisar because it combines renewable energy development with agricultural production. The project will use a local geothermal resource to support a large greenhouse facility.

Geothermal heating can help extend the agricultural production season and enable controlled cultivation during colder periods. It can also reduce exposure to fluctuations in conventional fuel prices.

The project may encourage further investment in geothermal agriculture across the region. New investments could create additional demand for drilling services, greenhouse technology and agricultural infrastructure.

Afyonkarahisar’s geothermal potential also provides an opportunity to develop integrated energy systems. In addition to greenhouse heating, geothermal resources may support thermal tourism, district heating, food processing and other direct-use applications where resource conditions are suitable.

The long-term value of these projects will depend on sustainable reservoir management. Production must be balanced with reinjection, and field performance must be monitored continuously.

Sustainable Resource Management

Sustainable geothermal development requires more than drilling additional wells. Operators must understand how fluid extraction affects reservoir pressure, temperature and long-term productivity.

The following indicators should be monitored during operation:

- Production-well flow rates and pressure levels.

- Geothermal-fluid temperature and chemical composition.

- Reinjection-well pressure and acceptance capacity.

- Reservoir pressure and temperature changes.

- Greenhouse heating performance.

- Scaling and corrosion in pipelines and heat exchangers.

- Water balance between production and reinjection.

Regular monitoring allows operators to identify technical problems at an early stage. It can also help prevent excessive pressure decline or unwanted cooling within the reservoir.

Reservoir modelling can support decisions about well placement and production levels. By analysing geological and operational data, the company can improve the coordination of production and reinjection activities.

Effective management may extend the productive life of the geothermal field. It can also help ensure that the resource continues to provide reliable heat for greenhouse operations over the long term.

Expected Project Outcomes

Once completed, the project will expand İpeks Jeotermal’s geothermal heating infrastructure in Afyonkarahisar. The 10 new production wells are intended to increase geothermal-fluid availability, while the three reinjection wells will support the return of used fluid to the reservoir.

The main expected outcomes include:

- Greater heating reliability for the 26.52-hectare greenhouse.

- Increased use of geothermal energy in agricultural production.

- Improved management of geothermal fluid through reinjection.

- Approximately 25 operational jobs.

- Additional demand for local technical and agricultural services.

- Further development of Afyonkarahisar’s geothermal-agriculture sector.

- Reduced dependence on conventional greenhouse-heating fuels.

The final performance of the project will depend on drilling results and the characteristics of the geothermal reservoir. Temperature, flow rate, pressure and fluid chemistry will influence the technical and economic success of the expansion.

İpeks Jeotermal’s planned investment represents a significant expansion of geothermal greenhouse heating in Afyonkarahisar. By combining 10 new production wells with three reinjection wells, the company aims to increase agricultural heat supply while supporting more sustainable management of the region’s geothermal resources.

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