Geothermal Funding Loan
Loan of up to €25 million per drilling project to finance geothermal drilling and measures with up to 100% funding; repayment only upon successful drilling; applications accepted continuously.
Discover your potential with AI support
- Find out if this grant matches your project
- Develop your application together with AI
- Get matched with many more suitable grants
Grant criteria
Funding objective
Funding of deep drilling from 400 meters, large geothermal probes, and measures to secure drilling success for the development of geothermal heat.
Eligible expenses
- Drilling costs from 400 m
- Installation of large geothermal probes
- Procedures to secure the drilling success
Non-eligible expenses
- Land purchase
- Preliminary measures
- Deconstruction costs
- Pure equity expenditures
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Project with drilling from 400 meters
- Secured by insurance or partial debt waiver
- At least 50% of shares of municipal companies in public ownership
Documents required for application
- Project overview
- Information on the geological environment
- Heat utilization concept
- Cost and financing plan
- Proof of security (insurance or partial debt waiver)
Evaluation criteria
- Drilling depth and number of boreholes
- Expected heat yield
- Safety measures
- Economic viability
Description
Geothermal Funding Loan opens up the nationwide opportunity to sustainably develop deep and medium-depth geothermal energy. Companies of all sizes as well as municipal institutions and special-purpose associations can finance drilling projects from 400 m depth with a loan of up to €25 million covering 100% of eligible costs. The funds are allocated to deep drilling, large geothermal probes, and procedures to secure drilling success. Repayment is only due upon successful drilling, thereby minimizing risks for applicants. Applications can be submitted continuously, with a maximum project duration of 60 months. Evaluation criteria such as drilling depth, expected heat yield, and economic viability ensure a targeted selection of forward-looking projects.
Eligible expenses include drilling costs from 400 m depth, installation of large geothermal probes, and measures to increase heat yield or to salvage projects with insufficient production rates. Costs for land acquisition, preliminary measures, decommissioning, and pure equity expenses are not considered. The funding application must include a project overview, information on the geological environment, a heat utilization concept, a cost and financing plan, as well as proof of risk coverage (insurance or partial debt waiver). This instrument is particularly suitable for municipalities, municipal companies, and special-purpose associations with at least 50% public ownership that wish to invest in climate-friendly heat supply. Combining this with other funding sources is possible, enabling comprehensive support for geothermal projects from drilling through to grid connection.
Ready to secure your funding?
Register now and let our AI guide you through the application process – from eligibility check to finished application.