Decarbonizing district heating with geothermal energy
At OMV, we see geothermal energy as a powerful path forward towards a cleaner, more sustainable future. By tapping into the Earth’s heat, we can provide clean, reliable warmth for homes and communities, without relying on fossil fuels. It’s a local, long-term solution that helps cut carbon emissions and supports a more secure energy future.
Our goal is to deliver 1 TWh of geothermal energy by 2030, helping to decarbonize district heating networks, large infrastructure operators, and industrial plants. By combining proven methods with new technologies, we’re unlocking the full potential of geothermal energy and making it a key part of tomorrow’s energy mix.
How geothermal energy works
Deep beneath our feet, the earth holds a steady supply of heat. Typically, temperatures rise by about 25–30°C per kilometer. However, this can vary significantly depending on geological settings. Drilling thousands of meters is often required to reach the heat needed - often over 100°C.
In hydrothermal systems, hot formation water is pumped to the surface. Its heat is captured using heat exchangers and the heat is transferred into the district heating network. The cooled water is reinjected into the reservoir where it is reheated by the surrounding rocks. If the water is hotter than 140°C, it can even be used to generate power.
In places without natural underground water, closed-loop systems offer another solution. These use a special fluid that circulates through sealed pipes, absorbing heat from deep rock layers. It’s a flexible, scalable way to bring clean energy to more communities.
Angelika Zartl-Klik
Senior Vice President Low Carbon Business OMV Energy
Our projects
The “deeep” joint venture: OMV and Wien Energie join forces to enable the heat transition
Vienna aims to make its entire district heating grid carbon-neutral by 2040. Our “deeep” joint venture with Wien Energie, established in 2023, unites the expertise of two industries to deliver geothermal energy projects to help reach this goal.
Our goal is to establish up to 7 plants with a combined capacity of 200 MW — enough to heat up to 200,000 homes.
Wien Energie is responsible for the surface facilities, including heat exchangers, heat pumps, and transferring heat into the district heating network, while we are responsible for subsurfaceactivities, including drilling operations and hot water extraction.
Project Aspern: A milestone in carbon-neutral district heating
The first project of our “deeep” joint venture is a geothermal plant in Aspern in Vienna’s 22nd, district. The plant will have a capacity of 20 MW in combination with heat pumps. This is enough to supply around 20,000 households, resulting in potential CO2 savings of up to 54,000 metric tons per year. Drilling of three wells was successfully finished in 2025, with commissioning scheduled for 2028.
Strategic partnership with Eavor Technologies Inc.
We have a 9.1% stake in Eavor Technologies Inc., a leading developer of closed-loop geothermal solutions. Their technology uses a network of sealed underground loops through which a fluid circulates to capture heat from deep rock formations. Because it does not require natural underground water resources, this approach makes geothermal energy possible in areas where conventional systems are not viable. We aim to deploy this technology in Germany in order to support the country’s heating transition.
More information
Climate-neutral district heating: Wien Energie and OMV establish joint venture for deep geothermal energy
OMV and Eavor join forces in geothermal technology
Wien Energie and OMV join forces to develop deep geothermal energy in the Vienna region
Climate-neutral district heating beginning in 2028: Drilling starts for first deep geothermal plant in Vienna