The implementation of selected programme components of the "Geothermal energy for district heating" programme has started
The implementation of selected programme components of the "Geothermal energy for district heating" programme has started.
The goal of the programme is to increase the use of geothermal energy sources by upgrading existing active or closed, producing and/or recovering thermal wells and by converting unused, state-owned hydrocarbon wells with significant untapped geothermal potential into production wells, other above-ground engineering activities to support the efficiency and growth of geothermal energy production and utilisation, by connecting geothermal wells to heating systems and/or by connecting new consumers to geothermal-based district heating systems. The support measure is in line with the National Energy and Climate Plan, the National Energy Strategy, and the objectives of the Hungary Green Thermal Programme.
The opening event of the 5.8 milliard HUF funding programme took place in Tiszaújváros on 7-8 November 2024.
On the first day of the event, the ceremonial closure of the preparation of the programme and the launch of the implementation phase was also an opportunity to celebrate the second anniversary of the Framework Agreement signed on 8 November 2022 to implement the Second Swiss Contribution. Melinda Spányikné Mészáros, Head of the Programme Operator, Dr. Gergő Korponai, Deputy Head of the National Coordination Unit, and Attila Balogh, representing the Swiss Contribution Office, welcomed the participants and presented the tasks and achievements of the past 2 years.
Afterwards, a high quality round table discussion on the tender procedure, the technical issues and the evaluation of the submitted tenders was held, with the participation of Annamária Nádor, the geological expert involved in the preparation of the call for tenders, on behalf of the professional partner of the programme Ministry of Energy, Mihály Mészáros, Head of Department, Imre Szilágyi, advisor of the Advisory Committee, and Zsuzsanna Uitz, Head of the Urban Energy Section of the Chamber of Engineering, and Dr. Tamás Madarász, Head of the Institute of Water and Environmental Management, Faculty of Earth and Environmental Engineering, University of Miskolc and Attila Balogh, Programme Officer of the Swiss Contribution Office. The representatives of the supported component operators and other professional organisations present were also actively involved in the discussion.
On the second day of the event, the staff of the Széchenyi Programme Office gave detailed guidance on the correct and effective implementation of the supported components in an interactive presentation, during which it was possible to clarify several practical issues and solve problems that may arise.
29 November 2024