New framework agreement lays the foundation for geothermal energy in metropolitan Copenhagen

Part of a multistranded strategy

In short, Innargi will get the hot water out of the ground while the companies VEKS, CTR, and HOFOR will buy the heat from the water and send it out through the district heating network. To begin with, the parties involved have signed a letter of intent which describes the intention to work actively and purposefully towards establishing geothermal energy in metropolitan Copenhagen. The future of district heating is based on a multistranded strategy where several different green energy sources work in conjunction with each other, and geothermal energy could be an important part of such a system.

Great with local energy

Aarhus led the way, and together with Innargi, which is owned by A.P. Moller, ATP, and NRGI, they are planning to build a plant that can produce 110 MW corresponding to the heating of 36,000 households. Now, the capital area is following in their footsteps. Initially, a potential of 120 to 240 MW is expected, which can cover the yearly heating of 35, to 75,000 households.

On the way to a 100-pct. green district heating network

In HOFOR, the chairman of the board remarks, among other things, upon the timing:

About the parties involved

CTR:
CTR is a supplier of sustainable and connected heating in the metropolitan Copenhagen area – across the municipalities of Frederiksberg, Gentofte, Gladsaxe, Copenhagen, and Tårnby. CTR has a yearly turnover of almost 2.5 billion DKK. and has about 35 employees. Through the distributional companies, CTR supplies about 250,000 households with district heating in metropolitan Copenhagen.

VEKS:
VEKS supplies surplus heat from big, central power and waste-to-energy plants to 20 local district heating companies corresponding to the consumption of 170,000 families. Additionally, VEKS is expanding district heating in Køge to 7000 new customers.

HOFOR:
HOFOR is Denmark’s biggest local supplier of water, heating, city gas, remote cooling, and wastewater diversion for more than 1 million people in metropolitan Copenhagen. They also build windmills and solar farms which supply energy to a greener Denmark. Together with eight municipalities, HOFOR is creating sustainable cities with a focus on rainstorm projects, energy optimization, and developing the future of supply solutions. HOFOR has over 150 years of experience, 1400 employees, and a turnover of 5 billion DKK.

Innargi:
Innargi A/S was founded in 2017 by A.P. Moller holding A/S and is today owned by A.P. Moller Holding, ATP and NRGI. Innargi’s mission is to bring geothermal heating to millions of homes with expert knowledge from an experienced team of geologists, reservoir-, facility-, and drilling engineers as well as through partnerships with district heating companies.