Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, has begun exploratory geothermal drilling at district-heating sites. The city’s district-heating utility Beogradske Elektrane has launched a tender for field testing at its New Belgrade and Miljakovac heating plants. The programme is moving from geological studies to on-site drilling.
Tender scope and target sites
The two locations—New Belgrade and Miljakovac—were selected based on having the strongest technical and economic potential for integrating geothermal energy into Belgrade’s district-heating network. Exploratory wells are intended to provide data needed to evaluate underground conditions. This work follows earlier phases focused on technical assessment.
Testing programme for underground water and heat
The exploratory wells will test the temperature, quantity and availability of underground water. Results will be compared with earlier geological models to assess consistency with prior estimates. Temperature and geothermal-gradient readings are planned every 50 metres.
The contractor will also monitor rock formations, drilling fluids and gases that could indicate groundwater inflows. Laboratory analysis will examine the geological characteristics of Mesozoic and Neogene formations at the sites. These measurements are part of the information-gathering stage before any further investment decisions.
Programme stage, investment conditions and bid deadline
This effort is described as the third stage of the geothermal programme. The first two phases concentrated on modelling and technical assessment, while the new work is intended to determine whether commercially useful geothermal resources are present.
If geothermal heat is confirmed, it could reduce the district-heating system’s dependence on fossil fuels, lower exposure to gas-price volatility and cut emissions. Investment decisions would depend on the temperature and sustainable flow rate of the available water, as well as the cost of connecting it to existing infrastructure. Bids are due by Oct. 19, and drilling results will determine whether geothermal energy can progress from a diversification concept to an investable component of Belgrade’s heating system.
