Polski
Under the “Polish Geothermal Plus” priority program, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) will provide the Sochaczew municipal government with financial support in the amount of PLN 62 million – PLN 33.4 million in grants and PLN 28.6 million in loans – for the construction of a geothermal plant. On October 11, during a meeting in Sochaczew, Deputy Minister Jacek Ozdoba announced that in as little as three years, residents of that city will be able to use heat extracted from inside the earth.
The geothermal plant in Sochaczew is a groundbreaking project aimed not only at making life more comfortable for local residents, but also a major step towards protecting the environment and countering the effects of climate change.
Geothermal – what the project entails
As part of the project, a geothermal well named Sochaczew GT-2 is planned to serve as an absorption borehole in a doublet geothermal system with the existing Sochaczew GT-1 borehole. In the initial assumptions, the depth of this borehole is expected to be 1650 m., but the actual depth will depend on geological conditions, which will be discovered only during the drilling process. In addition, the existing well, which will be used as a production well, will be adapted for operation and connected to the district heating system.
Geothermal energy extracted from the water produced from the production well will be transferred to the city’s district heating network via an exchanger and a pump that will convert it into heat supplied to city buildings. In addition, the treated and cooled geothermal water will be used as potable water, and the excess will be discharged into the ground through an absorption borehole.
The next phase of the project will include the creation of a geothermal plant that will work with the existing conventional heating plant. It will be equipped with a variety of equipment, including an absorption heat pump, a high-temperature boiler, heat exchangers for the district heating network and for the geothermal source, circulation pumps, technological equipment (such as pipelines, control valves, shut-off valves, measuring devices, automatic and electrical installations and pressure stabilization systems), pumps for transporting geothermal water, and a control system for the operation of the intake.
In addition, it is planned to upgrade the district heating network, including the construction of 2.6 kilometers of new sections and the modernization of 100 existing nodes. Also planned is the construction of a connection and installation of both external and internal facilities for the supply of natural gas.
Geothermal is also an opportunity to supply the city with water
Underneath Sochaczew there are huge resources of hot water with excellent parameters, which can be used not only for heating, but also as drinking water for the city.
Sochaczew has long faced the need to rebuild its water supply system. It is inevitable. The outdated water supply system, dating back to the 1950s. of the last century, needs immediate modernization. The quality of the water supplied is no better, often requiring mixing of different sources to make it drinkable. An example is water from the Kuznocin intake, which has to be mixed with water from Konar due to its high content of manganese and iron compounds.
In this context, the construction of a geothermal plant is good news. This project will not only harness the potential of heat from deep underground to heat the city, but could also save money on future planned investments to upgrade the water supply system. This is especially important given the threat of restrictions on water intake from the Konary intakes. The Environment Ministry is concerned about the violation of the Kampinos Forest ecosystem.
City councilors several years ago adopted a Long-Term Plan for the Development and Modernization of Water Supply and Sewerage Facilities, which included modernization of the network, construction of new intakes in Mistrzewice, a water treatment plant in Wyszogrodzka Street, and the laying of a water main connecting Mistrzewice and Chodakow. Despite EU support, there is a lack of funds to improve water management. Estimates indicate that investments in water supply could cost tens of millions of zlotys. Without these investments, Sochaczew will face serious development constraints. Ensuring access to water is becoming a priority. Geothermal is an opportunity to solve these problems.
Geothermal energy is a source of heat and water for Sochaczew
Geothermal can bring many benefits to the city. With the financial support, Sochaczew will receive a supply of heat from inside the earth as early as 2026. This is not only a convenience for residents, but also a big step towards environmental protection. Moreover, geothermal opens up opportunities for much-needed improvements in the water supply system. The modernization of water and sewage infrastructure is becoming more achievable, thanks to the savings generated by this project. Geothermal energy offers hope for improving the city’s quality of life, implementing greener solutions and the prospect of sustainable development. This is an investment in the future of Sochaczew and the well-being of its residents.
