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French group Fonroche working on 8 geothermal projects in France

Eckbolsheim, Alsace/ France (source: http://kieffer-dalpra-2015.fr/)
Alexander Richter 10 Haz 2016

French developer Fonroche, through its geothermal subsidiary, is currently working on 8 geothermal projects in France and expects the first plant to go online by the end of 2018 near Strasbourg, Alsace.

French development company Fonroche is realising 8 geothermal projects in France. It expects to start drilling in Vendenheim, near the city of Strasbourg in France, having recently received the prefectural permit for mining operations from the Prefect of the region.

The aim of the company is to develop a co-generation plant, that will produce both electricity and heating from a geothermal resource at a depth of 4,500 meters. With an investment of around EUR 60 million ($65 million), the company plans to build the 30 MW thermal (equivalent to provide heating to around 10,000 households) and 5 MW electric (equivalent to supply power to 20,000 households). Of the investment, 30% will be dedicated to environmental protection measures. The plant will supply heating and power to surrounding businesses and future business area in the area, and is expected to start operation in the end of 2018.

Fonroche has 8 exclusive research licenses in the regions of Camargue, in the Massif Central, the Pyrenees and the region of Valence-Montelimar.

Fonroche has two projects in the Southwest of France. Among them a planned 5.5 MW electric geothermal power plant with an investment volume of around EUR 75 million. The project, located in Lons, near Pau is expeccted to be commissioned in 2020. “It will generate electricity, connecting companies located in the industrial zone but ultimately to create heating network for the city of Pau,” says Jean-Phlippe Soule, director of Fonroche Geothermal. The resources is expected to be found at a depth of 3,000 to 6,000 meters with a temperature of about 150 centigrades.

Moreover, another project is underway, but still subject to public inquiry in Arzacq, near Lacq to provide energy to agribusiness. “But we still have to determine the exact location of the projects,” he said. The site is not yet defined.

The efforts of Fonroche show that things are moving in the right direction with geothermal development in France and it is expected that market will take off in the coming years. In its multi-annual energy plans, Ecology Minister Segolene Royal has set a goal 8 MW installed in high temperature geothermal by December 31, 2018 and above 53 MW in 2023. This represents the equivalent of 10 power plants geothermal power.

Currently, the geothermal subsidiary Fonroche has a staff of 15 employees. “We are targeting EUR 25 million in turnover in 2020, with two plants in operation,” says Jean-Philippe Soule. To date, there are three operators in the market: Electricité de Strasbourg, an EDF subsidiary, Electerre of France and Fonroche. “We have the largest number of permits,” he emphasizes.

From 2018, Fonroche wants to commission one plant per year.

The region of Alsace is considered the key region for geothermal energy development with high potential for this energy source.

Source: Sudouest