Drilling concludes for geothermal energy

Drilling for geothermal energy in The Hague at a depth of two kilometres has been completed. Both borehole tests have proven successful, according to the drilling project’s initiators, Aardwarmte Den Haag, a conglomerate of housing authorities, energy companies and the Municipality of The Hague.

In the coming years at least 4,000 new homes plus 20,000 square metres of commercial property in The Hague Zuidwest will be heated with the help of the hot water pumped up from the ground. The heat will be provided in the form of floor heating systems. The Hague is the first city in the Netherlands to use geothermal energy to provide heating to a neighbourhood. 

The first new houses should be ready by the end of 2011.

On the drilling site.

Environmentally-friendly

Residents will not notice any difference from traditional heating but it is better for the environment. The innovative energy system reduces CO2 emissions by 70% and limits the use of natural gas.

This is the first time in the Netherlands that geothermal heating is being used on such a large scale. Now that the test project has been successfully completed, the 38-metre high drilling installation on the Leyweg can be dismantled. Only the covers of the two holes will remain visible on the drilling site. A small geothermal pumping and power station will be constructed nearby.

Read more about the project on the website of Aardwarmte Den Haag.