Several stages can be distinguished between Project Inception and the Commercial Operation Date (COD). Needless to say, this timeline depends heavily on the specific location, numerous external factors, and government licensing. However, a rough roadmap includes:

Phase 1: Quick Scan & Regulatory Assessment

• Timeline: 3 to 6 months (up to 1 year for highly complex locations)
• Estimated Cost: ~€3,000

The initial phase consists of a comprehensive permit scan to evaluate location-specific requirements and constraints. This critical assessment covers key environmental and regulatory factors, including local soil conditions, nature preservation, archaeology, unexploded ordnance (UXO), environmental impact, and nitrogen deposition.

Phase 2: Permit Application & Comprehensive Studies

• Timeline: Approximately 6-18 months
• Estimated Cost: €75,000 to €80,000 (excluding specialized drilling permits)

During this phase, all specialized studies identified during the Quick Scan are formally executed. This includes in-depth research into geological, environmental, acoustic (noise), and archaeological impact, as well as Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA / MER).

Note: The drilling license itself is highly specialized and must be acquired through a separate parallel process; it is not included in the standard permit application costs.

Phase 3: Drilling Site Construction

• Timeline: Approximately 2-4 months
• Estimated Cost: ~€2,000,000

Once permissions are secured, civil works begin with the preparation and construction of the drilling site to support heavy machinery and containment infrastructure. A critical operational dependency during this phase is grid capacity and electricity availability. Utilizing self-powered diesel generators introduces additional environmental challenges, making direct connection to the power grid the preferred - and often required - approach.

Phase 4: Facility Construction & Commissioning

• Timeline: Approximately 2-3 years
• Estimated Cost: ~€150,000,000 to €200,000,000 (drilling rig).
  *** The cost of the power-generation infrastructure - including turbines, heat exchangers, buildings and electrical systems - is primarily determined by the targeted power output and is expected to require an investment in the hundreds of millions of euros. While the upfront capital requirement is significant, it is fundamentally different from the very long development timelines and capital requirements associated with a new SMR / nuclear power-plant.

The final phase involves building the surface facilities, installing heat exchangers, and integrating the system into the local energy infrastructure. This stage concludes with rigorous testing to ensure full operational capability and safety before reaching COD.

The total CAPEX is highly site-specific. Drilling depth, local geology, geothermal gradient, well design, power output (MWe), surface infrastructure and the intended energy application all have a significant impact on CAPEX, OPEX and the resulting cost of energy.


More information on the CAPEX/OPEX-costs: see FAQ-10.