Slovenia's DEM gets building permit for pilot geothermal power plant

Slovenia's Lendava municipality has granted a permit for the construction of a geothermal power plant to hydropower producer Dravske Elektrarne Maribor (DEM), a unit of state-owned electricity producer and trader Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE), DEM said on Thursday.

The plant will be built on the Pg-8 well in the settlement of Centiba and will showcase how geothermal energy potential can be used, DEM said in a statement.

"The concept of using geothermal energy in this way is patented and the exclusive use of the patent is given to DEM. The pilot project will be the first application of this patent, which is the fruit of Slovenian knowledge. The implementation, which represents a new step for all project partners on the path of development and transition to a low-carbon society, is an added value both for the local community and for the whole of Slovenia," DEM general manager Aleksander Bruncko said.

The next step in the project is the rehabilitation of the Pg-8 well, the installation of a geothermal gravity pipe and a leak test. Testing could begin in July 2023 and, after successful tests, the power plant is scheduled to start regular operation in April 2024, DEM said.

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