Work has started on a new geothermal well for Zakopane

Work on the fifth geothermal well, Bańska PGP-7, has started with a delay, and is intended to increase the capacity to supply Zakopane with heat from thermal waters. Geotermia Podhalańska confirmed to PAP that pre-drilling for the first column of casing pipes had already been performed by mid-November.

The new hole will ultimately reach a depth of approximately 4,050 m. The assumed temperature of thermal water obtained from this well is approximately 90 degrees Celsius.

– Work on drilling the Bańska PGP-7 well has started – said Marzena Pelczarska, head of the Administrative and Economic Department of Geotermia Podhalańska. She emphasized that the investment will strengthen the potential of the entire system: – Thanks to the increase in power, it will be possible to connect new customers to our heating network – she added.

However, the company emphasizes that the pace of connecting new heat consumers will depend on the transmission capacity of the entire system and on investments in infrastructure expansion. Detailed estimates are to be presented after final verification of the well data.

The start of the investment was originally planned for spring this year, but due to the completion of work on the earlier, neighboring well, the schedule was postponed. Additionally, during preparations for the new PGP-7 well, problems with the bearing capacity of the soil were encountered, requiring subsurface stabilization and partial replacement of the surface.

Despite the delays, the financing of the project is not at risk – assures Geotermia Podhalańska. The subsidy from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in the amount of PLN 52.6 million under the “Polska Geotermia Plus” program remains valid. The estimated investment cost is over PLN 88 million.

– PEC Geotermia Podhalańska is in constant contact with the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. We submit applications on an ongoing basis for necessary updates to material and financial schedules and, if necessary. Thanks to these activities, the project implementation schedule is adjusted to the current technical, organizational and market conditions, which allows the investment to be continued in accordance with the principles of the “Polska Geotermia Plus” program and the requirements regarding public funds – by postponing the deadlines for incurring and settling expenses – emphasizes Pelczarska.

Geotermia Podhalańska SA was established in 1993 on the initiative of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. In Zakopane, geothermal energy satisfies approximately 40%. heating demand. The annual extraction of geothermal water here is approximately 5 million cubic meters. The company currently has four production wells in the Bańska Niżna area. Last year, 126 new buildings were connected to the geothermal heating network in Podhale, and heat sales amounted to 511,000. 581 gigajoules.(PAP)

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