Geothermal Park Prešov – Ľubotice and Geoterm Via Carpatia

A Strategic Geothermal Project on the Axis of the Future

The Geothermal Park Prešov – Ľubotice represents a strategic energy project of PW Energy, linking the production of clean electricity, heat, and other energy applications with the development of the area along the key Via Carpatia transport corridor. The location near Prešov has confirmed geothermal potential, with downhole temperatures anticipated at around 150 °C, creating the prerequisites for a stable, local, and long-term sustainable energy source usable for industry, housing, transportation, and modern infrastructure.

The project is conceived as an energy and development hub in an area where the priorities of energy transformation, transport infrastructure, industrial development, and regional competitiveness naturally converge. In this sense, the Geothermal Park Ľubotice and the Geoterm Via Carpatia concept form one logical unit – a combination of geothermal energy, strategic location, and practical solutions for the future needs of the region and the European Union.

Key project elements

Installed electric capacity 8.5 MWe.
Annual electricity production of approximately 60,000 MWh.
Residual heat potential of approximately 300,000 MWh annually.
Significant reduction in CO2 emissions and supply of clean energy to thousands of households.
Expected creation of more than 200 direct and indirect jobs.

Territorial and Strategic Position

The project is located in the municipality of Ľubotice near Prešov, in an area of growing importance for energy, logistics, and industrial activities. Approved and planned zoning solutions, including the incorporation of the geothermal park into the municipal zoning plan and the planned connection to the southeastern bypass of Prešov, create a strong foundation for further development of the site.
The extraordinary significance of the project is reinforced by its location on the Via Carpatia route, i.e., on the strategic north-south corridor connecting the Baltic, Black, and Adriatic Seas. Thanks to this, the area can function not only as a place for energy production, but also as an energy-transport hub with reach across the wider Three Seas region.

Energy Platform with Multiple Uses

The geothermal park is not conceived merely as a standalone geothermal center. It is a broader territorial concept in which one stable renewable source can create value across multiple sectors simultaneously. Alongside electricity generation based on ORC technology, the project also creates space for the efficient use of direct or residual heat, the development of industrial applications, and the creation of new energy infrastructure.

The main development opportunities include:

centralized heat supply for the city of Prešov and other thermal applications,
energy hub for e-mobility and hydrogen mobility on the Via Carpatia axis,
production of green hydrogen for future transport and industrial use,
spaces for industrial and logistics operations with available clean energy,
new residential and recreational zones connected to low-emission heat supply,
greenhouse farming, aquaculture, and other food industry applications utilizing residual heat,
next-generation data center cooled using geothermal energy

Development of Transport, Mobility and Industry

The connection of the project with the Via Carpatia corridor opens space for the development of clean mobility and new infrastructure. A stable source of electricity and heat can supply charging stations, support hydrogen technologies, and make the location a key node for the decarbonization of transport in Central Europe.
At the same time, an attractive environment is created for investors seeking available energy, good transport connections, and territory ready for the development of industrial and logistics activities. The project therefore supports not only the energy transformation, but also the growth of regional competitiveness and the creation of new employment opportunities.

Alignment with European Union Priorities

The project is in line with the main European priorities in the areas of decarbonization, energy security, industrial transformation, and support for renewable energy. It naturally aligns with the goals of the European Green Deal, Clean Industrial Deal, REPowerEU, and the EU's long-term effort to strengthen strategic autonomy and the use of domestic energy sources.

In the context of these priorities, the project brings:
a stable renewable energy source independent of weather,
reduction of dependence on fossil fuel imports,
support for the decarbonization of heat, industry, and transport,
development of clean mobility and energy infrastructure,
support for regional development, employment, and investment in clean technologies.

Geothermal Park and European Priorities:

1. EU Green Deal 2. Fit for 55 Package 3. REPowerEU 4. Resolution on Geothermal Energy 5. Clean Industrial Deal 6. Three Seas Initiative 7. EU Renewable Energy Targets for 2030 8. Decarbonization of Heat and Industry 9. Energy Stability 10. Circular and Efficient Use of Resources 11. Regional Development and Territorial Resilience 12. Compliance with EU Environmental Standards

1. EU Green Deal

Sets the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Geothermal energy is an emission-free source that significantly contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Fit for 55 Package

Requires a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Geothermal projects, such as the one in Prešov, enable the replacement of fossil fuels with clean sources of electricity and heat, thus contributing to achieving this goal.

3. REPowerEU

The plan sets the goal of tripling geothermal energy capacity by 2030 and supports the development of geothermal power plants as a solution to strengthen energy independence and reduce dependence on Russian gas. Geothermal sources support energy security and independence of the Central European region from imported fossil fuels.

4. Resolution on Geothermal Energy

The European Parliament in January 2024 called for the creation of a European strategy for geothermal energy and for accelerating its implementation, including modernization and construction of new heating networks based on geothermal energy.

5. Clean Industrial Deal

The EU's new action plan emphasizes the need for innovation and investment in clean technologies, with geothermal energy being a key element for stable, domestic and low-emission energy production.

6. Three Seas Initiative

Three Seas Initiative - PWE's energy projects strengthen infrastructure and supply security in the Central and Eastern European region.

7. EU Renewable Energy Targets for 2030

The project contributes to the EU's binding target of achieving at least a 42.5% share of renewable energy, with the ambition to reach 45%.

8. Decarbonization of Heat and Industry

The geothermal park connects electricity production, the use of residual heat, and the potential for other energy applications in the area.

9. Energy Stability

Unlike variable sources, geothermal energy provides a stable, predictable, and local energy source.

10. Circular and Efficient Use of Resources

The project uses a closed circuit with geothermal water reinjection, supporting a sustainable operating model.

11. Regional Development and Territorial Resilience

The project creates prerequisites for new investments, employment opportunities, and the development of energy infrastructure in the region.

12. Compliance with EU Environmental Standards

The project holds a valid EIA decision, confirming its progress in accordance with European and national environmental requirements.

Efficient Production of Electricity, Heat and Use of Residual Heat

By integrating clean energy production with district heating and recreational applications, the Geothermal Park project exemplarily demonstrates how it is possible to address climate goals, energy security, economic development, and job creation in a real-world environment.

Centralized Zero-Emission Heat Supply for the City of Prešov
Reducing Energy Costs and Decarbonizing Urban Areas
The geothermal center provides an opportunity to supply more than 50,000 MWh of thermal energy annually to the district heating system
Heating capacity for more than 7,500 households in Prešov
Annual CO₂ savings: 10,000 tons compared to natural gas heating
Reduction and stabilization of heating costs
Increasing energy security through a stable local heat source

Energy Hub for Transport on the Via Carpatia Corridor
Supporting European energy sovereignty and green mobility in line with Clean Industrial Deal priorities
Strategic location on the international transport corridor connecting the Baltic, Black and Adriatic Seas
Opportunity to produce green hydrogen for the decarbonization of heavy freight transport and industry
Infrastructure for e-mobility and hydrogen mobility connected to the SE bypass of Prešov as part of Via Carpatia
Stable source of green energy for charging stations along the corridor
Accelerating the transition to clean mobility in Central Europe and reducing dependence on fossil fuels

Next-Generation Data Center
Opportunity to build a modern data center using geothermal heat for cooling via absorption chillers
Absorption cooling from geothermal heat – high-temperature geothermal heat (140 °C) is used for cooling production with minimal electricity consumption
Significant reduction of the PUE indicator – absorption chillers consume only 5 to 10% of the electricity compared to conventional compressor cooling systems, enabling a PUE value to be pushed down to 1.2
European average PUE 1.56 – today's EU data centers consume an additional 0.56 MWh per 1 MWh delivered to IT equipment in operations, with the majority share being spent no cooling
Dramatic reduction in total electricity consumption – it is not just about supplying green energy, but about radically cutting DC consumption thanks to absorption cooling

New Residential Zone in Ľubotice (66 ha)
Contribution to Housing Decarbonization and Implementation of Smart Energy Solutions
Geothermal heating infrastructure for 4,000+ new housing units (class A0)
Annual heat supply potential: 20,000 MWh
Zero-emission residential heating solution with intelligent energy management
Premium energy classification for all new buildings
Annual CO₂ savings: 4,000 tons compared to conventional heating

Recreational aquapark (11 ha)
Creating Quality Jobs in Line with CID's Fair Transformation Goals
Year-round operation with geothermal heat supply > 5,000 MWh annually
Creation of 120+ direct jobs in various positions
An additional 80+ indirect jobs in tourism and services
Annual CO₂ > 2,000 tons compared to conventional heating
Establishing the region as a sustainable tourist destination

Opportunities for Agriculture and Food Production
Supporting Regional Food Security and Reducing Strategic Dependencies
Greenhouse farming and aquaculture on 12 ha with year-round operation
Year-round production of vegetables and fish independent of external conditions
Energy-efficient processing, drying, and storage of agricultural products
Reduction of the carbon footprint of food and food waste
Strengthening food self-sufficiency and regional supply chains
Creation of local jobs

Current Status and Project Readiness

The project has a solid foundation for further progress. A valid EIA decision for the implementation of wells and the construction of the geothermal power plant, confirmed geothermal potential of the location, and advanced zoning integration of the geothermal park in Ľubotice.
This readiness is important not only from the perspective of construction itself, but also in terms of the project's credibility with partners, investors, and the public sector. Combined with the strategic location and a broad spectrum of future uses, it creates the premise for the Geothermal Park Prešov – Ľubotice to become one of the most significant geothermal development projects in Slovakia.