Exploratory drilling and testing has commenced at Stormont as part of a £3 million geothermal energy project.
The study will examine shallow geothermal potential and its possible future application to provide low carbon, renewable heating and cooling systems for a number of buildings on the estate.
A second study at the CAFRE Greenmount campus near Antrim will explore the potential for a future deep geothermal borehole project.
A total of five boreholes will be drilled at Stormont over the next six months, four of which will be hydrogeology boreholes around 250 metres deep, and one borehole will be cored to 500 metres depth.
A series of tests and analyses including down-hole geophysics will then be carried out on the boreholes to identify the optimum numbers and depths of boreholes required to deliver low carbon and renewable heat to the estate.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy, Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and the US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy III, were among the first to visit the first borehole drill site last week.
“Despite being in its infancy, the geothermal sector is well positioned to thrive and with the right investment and support it can deliver real economic opportunities that will improve productivity, cultivate good jobs, and promote regional balance across the region,” said Mr Murphy.
“Whilst the north is fortunate to have very suitable geology for geothermal energy, it remains a relatively untapped resource here compared to other countries.
“Geothermal offers several distinct advantages and unlike other renewables is available 24/7, whatever the weather which makes it more predictable and reliable.
“This is a feature that can serve to stabilise energy costs and increase our security of energy supply.”
