New proposal in Germany seeks to simplify approval for geothermal projects

Laufzorn geothermal heating plant in Bavaria, Germany (source: Erdwarme Grunwald)

Carlo Cariaga 28 Jun 2024

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz / BMWK) under Minister Robert Habeck has sent a draft law for consulation to federal states and associations that seeks to simplify approval procedures for both deep geothermal energy and near-surface geothermal energy proejcts.

The aim of the proposal is to remove legal obstacles for the development of geothermal energy towards the goal of Germany to generate 10 TWh of geothermal by 2030. The law will cover the spectrum of geothermal projects from power plants to heat pump systems and heat storage systems.

The current approval process often takes several years and is encumbered by high bureaucratic requirements. The Minister proposes to simplify this process with the introduction of maximum deadlines for approval procedures under the mining law. The proposal also seeks to extend the time intervals for operating plans, shorten the appeals chain, and eliminate the suspensive effect of legal remedies.

Near-surface geothermal energy projects can also benefit with a proposed exclusion from the scope of the mining law. The proposal also seeks to exclude small groundwater heat pumps and geothermal collectors from the requirements under the water law.

The draft law states that geothermal can supply around a quarter of the heat requirement in Germany. The ministry aims to establish geothermal as the third pillar of climate-friendly energy generation and provide a platform that facilitates its faster growth. “As with wind turbines and PV systems, systems for the extraction of geothermal energy, heat pumps and heat storage systems are therefore also given an overriding public interest,” the paper states.

Source: Zeit Online, Regional Heute, and Investment Week