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Geothermal energy disaster in Wilhelmsburg: Heat transition is in danger of failing!
In Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg, the geothermal energy project, originally planned for 2025, has now been postponed to 2026. The causes are technical problems and price increases for district heating.
Geothermal energy disaster in Wilhelmsburg: Heat transition is in danger of failing!
At a time when the energy transition is on the agenda everywhere in the country, the geothermal energy project in Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg seems to have more hurdles than successes. The Greens in Hamburg are committed to a sustainable energy transition, but the reality is different. Picture reports on a delayed project that was once intended to secure heat supplies for 6,000 households. Instead of the hoped for 130 degrees Celsius from the planned 3,000 meters depth, there is currently only cold water at 48 degrees from 1,000 meters.
Commercial heat delivery was originally planned for spring 2025, but a new start date for 2026 is now being planned, as well stern.de communicates. Former Environment Senator Jens Kerstan had the idea of using geothermal technology as a key to heat supply. However, reality shows that electric heat pumps can only heat cold water to a maximum of 80 degrees, which is still far below the target value.
Delays and costs
The geothermal energy project is not only characterized by technical challenges; The costs also remain obscure. Berlin provided 22.5 million euros for the project, while the previous drillings have already cost 17 million euros. The energy works have not yet commented on the total investments and the start of the project is being postponed. A new drilling could be necessary, which in turn requires a permit.
The energy plants can currently only supply 3,700 residential units in Wilhelmsburg, which corresponds to a greatly reduced capacity. This represents only a fraction of the 538,000 residential units in Hamburg that are currently heated with district heating. In addition, since May 1st, there has been a price increase for district heating and hot water by almost a third for new customers - existing customers will also expect gradually higher prices from 2026.
Hope for sustainable warmth
Although the project seems to be on the brink, the operators remain hopeful that the demand for ecological heat could increase from 2030. The new Environment Senator Katharina Fegebank inherits these problems and must now face the challenge of achieving the goals set in the field of renewable energies.
Geothermal energy is a promising technology that is still considered environmentally friendly. Without CO2 emissions during operation, it could play a key role in future energy supplies. Loud ENGIE Up to five kilowatt hours of heat could be generated with one kilowatt hour of electricity for heat pumps. But until we in Hamburg can fully exploit the advantages of geothermal energy, there is a rocky road that has to be taken.