State funding to support exploration geothermal drilling in Duisburg, Germany
Minister Mona Neubaur with representatives from Stadtwerke Duisburg (source: Wirtschaft.NRW)
Carlo Cariaga
9 Jan 2026
Exploration drilling for geothermal resources in Duisburg, Germany will start by 2028 with funding support from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) through the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection will be supporting exploratory drilling for geothermal resources in the city of Duisburg, Germany with funding of approximately EUR 7.5 million.
“Duisburg is leading the way. The municipal utilities are investing in climate-friendly heating that is independent of fossil fuels and remains affordable in the long term. This strengthens climate protection, security of supply, and the local economy. As a state, we support this project because it demonstrates how the energy transition in the heating sector is concretely impacting people – in Duisburg and beyond.” said Minister Mona Neubaur.
Exploratory drilling is scheduled to take place the premises of municipal utility Stadtwerke Duisburg by 2028. Detailed planning and permitting will be undertaken over the next two years. If results are positive after tests and measurements, then deep geothermal energy may start to supply heating in Duisburg by the early 2030s.
The drilling is part of the utility company’s efforts in making its district heating system completely climate-neutral by 2035. It is also part of the Geothermal Energy Master Plan, an initiative by the NRW state that aims to cover up to 20% of its heating needs with geothermal energy by 2045.
The total investment for the project is estimated at EUR 12.5 million. Thomas Oertel, who is coordinating the drilling project, explains that this investment will be profitable after about 10 years. “This is the most cost-effective way to sustainably promote thermal energy ,” Oertel further explained.
“This would allow us to reliably supply Duisburg residents with energy and offer stable prices in the long term,” added Andreas Gutschek, infrastructure director of Stadtwerke Duisburg.
Studies on the potential for geothermal heating in Duisburg have been done in the past years, as ThinkGeoEnergy has reported. According to findings by the Geological Survey of North Rhine-Westphalia, thermal waters with temperatures of up to 130 °C are expected to be found at depth in Duisburg.
Source: Wirtschaft.NRW and WDR
