First drilling of geothermal project in the canton of Jura completed
Published: Wednesday, Aug 28th 2024, 12:10
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No seismic events or other incidents have occurred during the first drilling of the Haute-Sorne geothermal project in the canton of Jura. The depth of 4000 meters was reached in less than three months, according to a joint press release from Geo-Energie Suisse and Geo-Energie Jura.
The borehole was drilled in three sections with decreasing diameters, first at a depth of 500 meters, then at 1800 meters and finally at 4000 meters, as the press release went on to say. Extensive data was collected in the process, which is crucial for planning the next steps of the geothermal project, the competence centers added.
According to the specialists, the most striking finding is a layer of rock salt that is thicker than expected. Overall, the project offers a great opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of the geology in the canton of Jura, they said.
Due to the numerous studies that need to be carried out in order to evaluate the collected data, the project at the site will now take a break. According to the press release, this so-called exploration phase will last until the end of 2025.
The next step will involve various tests in the borehole at the beginning of next year. The decision on the continuation of the project will be made on the basis of the analysis of all the data collected to date, the statement concluded.
In the Haute-Sorne pilot project, the canton of Jura, Geo-Energie Suisse and Geo-Energie Jura want to use geothermal energy to produce electricity and heating energy for around 6,000 households with the help of stimulated geothermal systems.
Controversial project
The geothermal project was considered controversial due to a number of incidents in the past: Firstly, because of the 2017 earthquake in South Korea, which may have been triggered by deep geothermal drilling. Secondly, two geothermal projects were halted in Switzerland - in 2014 in the canton of St. Gallen and in 2006 due to an earthquake in Basel.
In 2018, the Federal Supreme Court rejected an appeal against the building permit in the Jura municipality of Haute-Sorne and gave the project the green light. In April, however, the government announced that it would review the permit. At the end of 2018, the cantonal parliament then called for the immediate abandonment of geothermal energy in a motion. In 2022, the canton of Jura finally announced its intention to continue with the project, subject to stricter safety requirements.
The Citoyens Responsables Jura association demanded the immediate suspension of the pilot project until the very end. In addition to the risk of earthquakes, the association warned in spring 2023 that deep drilling would endanger the groundwater and water supply, as well as harboring radioactive hazards.
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