January 23 (SeeNews) - Slovenian hydropower producer Dravske Elektrarne Maribor (DEM), a unit of state-owned electricity producer and trader Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE), has started the construction of a pilot 50 kW geothermal power plant, it said.
The construction works on the geothermal plant in Lendava municipality are carried out by Petrol Geo and start-up tests are planned for June, DEM said in a statement on Friday.
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The power plant will utilise the geothermal energy potential of the existing dry, non-productive Pg-8 gas well. It will consist of an underground gravity heat pipe and above-ground cooling system and engine room, DEM said.
Lendava municipality granted a permit for the construction of the geothermal power plant in May. The plant is scheduled to start commercial operation in April 2024, DEM said back then.
In case of favorable results of the pilot project, the designed concept will be used on other abandoned gas wells in Slovenia and also around the world, DEM said.
"The implementation of the project represents a new step on the path of development and transition to a low-carbon society. The project is an added value for the local community, as well as for the whole of Slovenia," DEM general director Damjan Seme said in the statement.
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