Concerns over pollution from geothermal heating

Some municipalities have stopped issuing drilling permits for geothermal heating holes for residential use, and others may follow suit.

The reason is that the drilling is causing pollution problems in rivers, lakes and sewage systems.

This has prompted the Association of Municipalities to call on the government to implement a more structured approach to geothermal heating.

“Many local councils simply do not have the expertise required to ensure that the drilling for geothermal holes does not cause pollution,” says Eyðun Christiansen, chairman of the Association of Municipalities.

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“The national authorities need to step in with their expertise and to provide some regulatory clarity.”

Environment minister Ingilín Didriksen Strøm welcomes the enquiry.

“It’s obviously not right that sustainable energy systems pollute our nature. This is an urgent matter because from 1 January 2024, oil-fired boilers will no longer be allowed in new residential houses.” she says.

“Some filtering solutions are already available, and we will see if these can be implemented immediately. We will sit down with the local councils, the Environmenal Agency and other industry players to look for a more permanent solution.”

Read the Faroese versions of this article here and here.

More Faroese News in English.