DEPARTMENT OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY & THERMAL MINERAL RESOURCES

The Department of Geothermal Energy & Thermal Mineral Resources (GEOTHE) operates under the Directorate of Water Resources & Geothermal Energy (DYPOGE) and, according to Law 4602/2019, has the following responsibilities:

• Research, identification, documentation, and assessment of the country’s geothermal potential, including hot springs
• Studies on the development, utilization, and management of geothermal fields
• Research on the use of shallow geothermal energy through Geothermal Heat Pump systems
• Development and management of geothermal and thermal water databases
• Maintenance of the National Geothermal Register in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment & Energy
• Hydrogeological studies of thermal mineral waters and assessments for the recognition of natural resources as therapeutic
• Volcanology studies and monitoring of active volcanoes in Greece

Current projects carried out by the GEOTHE Department include:

• The sub-project “Actions for the Rational & Sustainable Use of Geothermal Energy – GEOTHERM” under the OPYGEK program, funded by ESPA 2014-2020 (Operational Programme “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship, Innovation” / EPAnEK), with a budget of €1,439,000 and four main activities:

1. Exploration of geothermal fluids and reservoir engineering studies in the Sidirokastro and Nestos Delta areas to support investment initiatives
2. Long-term monitoring of geothermal fields and hot springs through systematic data collection, processing, and evaluation for optimal use and sustainability
3. Collection, update, evaluation, processing, and harmonization (based on INSPIRE standards) and dissemination of geospatial data and information on geothermal fields and thermal resources
4. Research and evaluation of clays and volcanic rocks for therapeutic use

• The sub-project “Management Plans for Low-Temperature Geothermal Fields – DIAGEOTH”, along with related actions for the supply of specialized software, hardware, and expert consulting and sampling services (fluid mechanics, isotopes, scaling analysis). Budget: €216,000, under the project “Upgrading the Functions of the General Secretariat of Energy & Mineral Raw Materials” (EPAnEK). The goal is to develop model management plans for low-temperature geothermal fields (<90°C) and pilot their application in two selected areas.

• The project “Preparation and Publication of a Geothermal Guide in Greek & English”, budget €40,000 (Public Investment Programme), aims to create an investment guide providing information on geothermal conditions, fields, potential, legal framework, and funding tools.

• The project “Long-term Monitoring, Supervision & Rehabilitation of H.S.G.M.E. Geothermal Wells Not Concessioned to Third Parties”, budget €100,000 (Public Investment Programme), focuses on evaluating and monitoring older H.S.G.M.E. geothermal wells requiring supervision or intervention due to age or specific field conditions.

Read more about the other departments of the Directorate of Water Resources & Geothermal Energy (DYPOGE):

Department of Hydrogeology & Hydrology (YDROGE)

Department of Analytical Laboratories (TANE)