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Poland aims to harness geothermal energy: environment minister

PR dla Zagranicy
Grzegorz Siwicki 26.09.2017 15:40
Poland has huge resources of geothermal energy that are waiting to be harnessed, the country’s environment minister said on Tuesday.
Environment Minister Jan Szyszko speaks at Tuesday's press conference on the development of geothermal energy in Poland. Photo: PAP/Paweł SupernakEnvironment Minister Jan Szyszko speaks at Tuesday's press conference on the development of geothermal energy in Poland. Photo: PAP/Paweł Supernak

Jan Szyszko told reporters: “Under us, at a depth of 2 to 3 kilometres, there are huge resources of hot water. We are sitting on a central heating stove; all we need to do is connect the infrastructure."

He was speaking at his ministry as central and local government officials signed agreements to drill for geothermal waters in various parts of the country.

Drilling work will cost an estimated PLN 110 million (EUR 25.7 million, USD 30.3 million) and will be carried out in the districts of Sochaczew and Sieradz in central Poland, Szaflary in the south, and Lądek Zdrój in the southwest. A geothermal well will also be built in Chojny near the town of Koło in the country’s west.

Poland has enough geothermal resources to meet the country’s needs many times over, Szyszko told reporters.

Geothermal resources offer zero-emissions energy and an opportunity to cope with global climate challenges, Szyszko added.

There are 26 proven deposits of thermal water and 30 bodies of therapeutic and thermal water throughout Poland, according to the ministry.

Several geothermal heating plants are already in operation: in Bańska in the south of the country, Pyrzyce and Stargard Szczeciński in the northwest, and Mszczonów and Uniejów in central Poland. (gs/pk)

Source: PAP

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