Hungarian Town Enhances Geothermal Network with Swiss Assistance
The town of Bóly in southwest Hungary is making strides towards a more sustainable future with the launch of a HUF 189 million upgrade to its geothermal heating network. This project is being made possible with support from the Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Programme.
Bóly has allocated HUF 93 million from local council funding, HUF 81 million from the Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Programme, and HUF 14 million from the central government for drilling new geothermal wells. The town originally drilled its first geothermal well over twenty years ago and currently utilizes around 20 TJ of heat for public institutions and factories. Mayor Dávid Fehérvári stated that the new wells are essential to increase the network’s capacity.
Attila Steiner, the state secretary for energy and climate policy, highlighted Hungary’s goal to double its geothermal energy production by 2030. He praised the Bóly project as a model not just for the country, but for Europe as a whole.
Steiner also mentioned that a significant portion of the government’s HUF 440 billion Jedlik Ányos Programme for energy-efficiency upgrades, specifically over HUF 70 billion, has been allocated for geothermal projects.
This initiative in Bóly reflects Hungary’s commitment to renewable energy sources like geothermal and solar power. It signals a new era of sustainable energy practices that can benefit both the town and the wider region.
