The geothermal potential in Macedonia is enormous. Between 1973 and 1984 the exploration of hydro-geothermal potential in the region of Kocani was carried out in a cooperation between the Board for Exploration for Mining Work – Social Republic of Macedonia, the Geological Institute in Skopje (MAC) and Ljubljana (SLO) and Geothermax – USA, as at that time Macedonia was part of former Yugoslavia. In that period, 12 structure-exploration holes had been drilled.

On the basis of these explorations, four locations (EBMP - 1, EB - 2, EB - 3 and EB - 4) with drilled exploitation wells and one reinsertion hole (P-10) have been developed from 1984 in the region of “Podloga-Banja”. The system “Geoterma” was installed by the Communal Public Company Water Supply “Vodovod”, Kocani.

The geothermal water is used for the heating of: 2 greenhouses (11 + 7 ha for orange production), low temperature processes, the central heating of 1 secondary school, 2 primary schools, 1 gym, a court house in the centre of the city Kocani, a recreational health spa and furthermore for a bottling company that bottles mineral water for drinking.

TECHNOLOGY

The total installed capacity of the geothermal system “Geoterma” is 300 l/sec. Annually 1 400 000 m³ of geothermal water with a temperature of 75°C is distributed to the above-mentioned consumers.

back

ECONOMIC ASPECTS

A local grant from the Republic of Macedonia (as part of Ex-Yugoslavia) as well as private capital from the Communal Public Company – Water Supply ”Vodovod” - Kocani was used to cover the costs for the project.

back

SOCIAL EFFECTS

Local citizens were informed from the beginning of the project until the end by the local TV stations and newspapers about the investment.

At the end of the project, the public received brochures and leaflets with information about the geothermal system installed in their region as well as about the positive effects of using renewable energy.

back

ENVIROMENTAL EFFECTS

Not mentioned.

back

DIFFICULTIES, PROBLEMS

Not mentioned.

back

FOLLOW UP

An update of the system called “Ecological reconstruction and energetic rationalisation of the geothermal system Geoterma-Kocani”started in 2008 and is planned to be finished in 2010. The total cost of the project, which contains the drilling of a new exploitation well and a new reinsertion well, is EUR 1 560 000. With these new wells the municipality will gain approximately 350 000 m³ of geothermal water for the additional heating of one primary school and one secondary school in the central part of Kocani.

back

FURTHER INFORMATION

Municipality of Kocani
Goce Serafimov - Junior Assistant for Environmental Protection

Tel: + 389 33 279 554
Mob: + 389 75 492 252
E-mail: serafimov@mol.com.mk
Web: www.kocani.gov.mk

back