Košice as a springboard: MND sets its sights on further geothermal projects
The completion of the boreholes near Košice shows that deep geothermal energy can serve as a stable source of energy even in Central Europe. At the same time, however, it raises questions about where this type of project makes sense and how quickly it can be scaled up. Radovan Jedlička, Head of Business Development at MND Drilling & Services, discusses the potential, limitations and further opportunities.
What do you see as the main advantage of geothermal energy compared to other renewable sources?
Geothermal energy has great potential compared to other renewable sources. It is unique, for example, compared to solar or wind power stations, which are dependent on current conditions. All it takes is for the wind to drop, for it to be overcast, or for night to fall, and energy production drops. On the other hand, the disadvantage of geothermal energy is its high initial costs, which can be significantly higher than those of other sources. However, this is the price to pay for the stability and significant long-term benefits that deep geothermal energy offers.
How can you identify a suitable site for this type of energy source?
The geological structure of the area in question is crucial. Everything depends on the specific location and the processes that took place underground millions of years ago.
Is there such a place in the Czech Republic?
I’m afraid that the geothermal potential in the Czech Republic isn’t particularly significant, at least as far as deep geothermal energy is concerned. It’s a matter of exploration – I know that certain activities are taking place here, but I wouldn’t expect them to reach the scale of projects such as those in Košice or, for example, in Iceland, Hungary, Italy or in Germany near Munich.
Does Drilling perceive a growing demand for projects of this type in Europe?
We can clearly see that demand for deep geothermal wells in Europe is growing, and projects are springing up across the entire continent. We are actively involved in them – whether as a drilling contractor or, as in the case of Košice, as a turnkey contractor. This means we manage the entire project from start to finish. It is a relatively new area for us, as this type of contract carries a higher level of risk and is highly complex, so we approach it with a degree of caution. However, Košice has shown that we are capable of successfully delivering such projects – we were the sole contractor and all the work was carried out by us.
Is there another project on the horizon where our teams could work?
I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but we’re expecting an interesting project in Germany. Specifically, it’s in the Munich area, where deep geothermal energy has a long track record of positive results. There is strong geological potential there, as well as significant demand for heat. In addition, we are preparing tenders in other countries too, such as France.
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