In order to comprehensively approach the promotion of geothermal potential, the Agency received a grant under the Energy and Climate Change Programme, for the Project of creating the geothermal potential interactive map of the Pannonian Basin in the Republic of Croatia.
Based on the funding decisions, grants amounting to EUR 200.000,00 were awarded to the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency as the project holder.
The aim of the project is to create a deep geothermal energy database, based on which a unique interactive map will be created and published. The interactive map will contain: all exploration blocks and exploitation fields of geothermal water for energy purposes, selected well data and a map of the geothermal gradient in the Republic of Croatia.
The Deep Geothermal Energy Database represents the basis for the further development of the geothermal energy potential of the Republic of Croatia and a further step forward in the positioning of the Republic of Croatia as the leading country within the European Union, which has activated this valuable resource at a crucial moment of the burning need for new energy sources.
This unique virtual database of unified, classified and processed geotechnical data collected over the last 50 years will enable easier access and improve understanding of geothermal potential speeding up decision-making processes and the initiation of investment projects.
Oil industry data is focused on stimulating and activating renewable energy sources representing a real green transition.
The Deep Geothermal Energy Database represents the basis for further development of the geothermal energy potential of the Republic of Croatia, and its creation is another step towards the competitiveness of the Republic of Croatia in the context of development and investment in geothermal energy projects.
Our geothermal projects are an example of a real transition that takes into account all the components of a sustainable and profitable transition to clean, renewable energy sources. These projects are being developed thanks to the oil industry, as their foundations lie in the data and infrastructure created to meet the needs of hydrocarbon exploration and production. By using the existing knowledge and data, the Hydrocarbon Agency channels the fossil industry’s data in favour of renewable sources, adding value to these projects and opening the door to new forms of energy. Taking advantage of the complementarity of different instruments poses a challenge for stronger joint planning and coordination.
The project can serve as an example of geological de-risking in a way that subsidizes pre-exploration activities, which significantly reduces initial investments. This is especially important when using geothermal waters for district heating due to their limited commerciality.
During the project, well data, forming a part of the database, will be used pursuant to Article 8 of the Act on the Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbons (NN 52/18, 52/19, 30/21), organised by the Croatian Hydrocarbon Agency.
The main objective of this project is to provide transparent access to data for the all parties interested in deep geothermal energy.
The project is funded by the EEA Financial Mechanism under the Energy and Climate Change Programme. The Memorandum of Agreement on the Implementation of the EEA Financial Mechanism has been signed between Iceland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Kingdom of Norway and the Republic of Croatia.
