The Austrian integrated oil, gas, and petrochemical company OMV Group with project partner Wien Energie has announced the start of drilling in Aspern (Vienna-Donaustadt) for the first deep geothermal heating project in Vienna, Austria. Three wells will be drilled to depths of more than 3000 meters by mid-2025.
Following a series of production tests to verify the availability, temperature, and chemical composition of the formation water, the 20-MWt geothermal heating plant is scheduled to be commissioned in 2028, with additional plants to follow. OMV and Wien Energie estimate that the technology has the potential to meet the heating needs of around 200,000 households in Vienna.
In late 2023, OMV and Wien Energie announced the founding of the “deeep” joint venture which aims to develop 200 MW of geothermal district heating. The site at Aspern was selected as the first project site of the joint venture. By the latter half of 2024, preparation work of the drilling site was already underway.
“This deep geothermal plant is a forward-looking project that sets an example for our city. We are not only generating energy, but also strengthening our supply independence and our economic position,” said Peter Hanke, City Councilor for Economic and Financial Affairs and Wiener Stadtwerke.
“With the first deeep geothermal plant for Vienna, we will generate even more climate-neutral district heating. As we will be less dependent on gas imports, this will contribute to security of supply and price stability,” added Wien Energie Managing Directors Michael Strebl and Karl Gruber.
A unique knowledge of the geology
The wells at the Aspern site will be drilled to target the “Aderklaaer Konglomerat” formation, a natural hot water reservoir with waters of around 100 °C. Three wells will be drilled for the pilot plant – a pilot well for exploration, maintenance, and protection, a production well, and a reinjection well.
“OMV has a unique knowledge of the geology of the Vienna Basin. We are applying this know-how, combined with many years of experience in exploration and production, together with Wien Energie in our innovative district heating project for Vienna,” said Berislav Gaso, Executive Vice President Energy and Member of the Executive Board at OMV.
“Geothermal energy is an important element of our 2030 strategy, with which OMV is driving forward its transformation into an integrated sustainable chemicals, fuels, and energy company,” concluded Gaso.
