Exploration drilling campaign for geothermal greenhouses to start in Konya, Türkiye
Geothermal-heated greenhouse growing tomatoes in Konya, Türkiye (source: Dodomates)
Carlo Cariaga
13 Feb 2025
A new geothermal exploration drilling phase has been initiated by Buhar Enerji to support their geothermal greenhouse operations in Tuzlukcu, Konya, Türkiye.
Buhar Enerji Yatirim Tic. ve San. Ltd. Sti. (Buhar Enerji) is entering a new phase in its geothermal exploration and utilization activities in the municipality of Tuzlukcu in Konya, Türkiye. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for additional geothermal exploration in the IR:5 field in Asag? Mahalle has been completed, with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change ruling “EIA Not Required.”
The company, which uses geothermal resources for greenhouse heating, plans to expand its capacity with new drilling. Dodomates Seracilik San. A.S., a group company, operates a 100,000 square meters of greenhouse for production of tomatoes, initiated in 2011 under an EIA exemption.
Due to the insufficiency of the areas covered by the existing EIA decision dated June 8, 2021, 12 additional geothermal resource drilling operations are planned in newly designated areas.
Capacity expansion with new drilling
The project aims to drill wells at 1,350 ± 150 meters in depth for resource assessment. If sufficient temperature and flow rates are achieved, the resources will be used for greenhouse heating. A new EIA review will be required before production begins.
Officials emphasize that geothermal energy will boost agricultural production and improve energy efficiency in greenhouse operations.
Konya is one of the regions in Türkiye that has a well-developed geothermal agricultural sector. The country leads globally in geothermal greenhouse cultivation, and sector representatives believe that further investment in this field can contribute greatly to addressing the crises in food and agriculture.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change via our Turkish language platform JeotermalHaberler
