Geothermal greenhouses in Thrace
Overview
Experience, passion, and innovation are the driving forces behind Thrace Greenhouses. Operating since 2013, the facility has been dedicated to growing high-quality vegetables year-round, adhering to the highest standards of Integrated Management Systems. As the largest company in Greece utilizing geothermal heating, Thrace Greenhouses implements eco-friendly agricultural practices.
Geothermal energy, the natural thermal energy emanating from the Earth's core, is a renewable resource capable of entirely replacing conventional heating and cooling methods. At Thrace Greenhouses, geothermal energy fulfills all heating requirements, ensuring a sustainable operation that significantly reduces carbon footprints.
The geothermal fields of Xanthi, a key asset in northern Greece, hold vast potential for enhancing agricultural activities. The Thrace region, with its numerous geothermal fields, particularly around Xanthi, demonstrates significant geothermal capabilities. By tapping into this renewable energy source, Thrace Greenhouses showcases how geothermal energy can revolutionize agricultural practices, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Behind the project, two leading Greek corporations, THRACE GROUP and ELASTRON, have harnessed the geothermal fields of Neo Erasmio in Thrace, North Greece, to create the most sustainable hydroponic greenhouses in Southeast Europe. Thrace Greenhouses, spanning an impressive 18.5 hectares, stand as the largest hydroponic greenhouses in the region and the only ones in the world to be heated exclusively by geothermal energy.
Since 2014, Thrace Greenhouses has been cultivating the essential vegetables of the traditional Mediterranean diet, including a diverse range of tomatoes (600 tons) and cucumbers (1000 tons). By leveraging advanced geothermal energy techniques, these greenhouses produce hydroponic vegetables with nearly zero CO2 emissions, setting a new standard for environmentally-friendly agriculture.
Technical details and future expansion
The operation leverages 14.64 MWth of geothermal fluids at temperatures of 60-70°C, delivering 45.8 GWhth of heat annually from eight production wells, each 210-330 meters deep. Plans are underway to expand with additional wells and piping networks to achieve 36.7 MWth of geothermal heat utilization. This expansion includes constructing an additional 13 hectares of greenhouses in Neo Erasmio, boosting production by 6,000 tons and creating 70 new jobs obver the 210 already in place. This development represents an investment of €14.66 million.
Additionally, the company has secured the concession for the northern part of the nearby Nea Kessani geothermal field. This project aims to produce 12 MWth of 73°C geothermal fluids from wells 400-450 meters deep, which will heat 13 hectares of greenhouses, yielding 10,000 tons of vegetables (tomatoes and cucumbers). The investment for this initiative amounts to €12.6 million and is expected to create 90 job positions
A Model for the Future
Thrace Greenhouses is more than just a producer of fresh hydroponic vegetables; it is a model of how sustainable practices can be integrated into agriculture to benefit both the environment and the market. By utilizing geothermal energy, Thrace Greenhouses not only reduces its carbon footprint but also sets a precedent for other agricultural enterprises to follow with a turnover of EUR 8 million per year.
Summary
Depth of drilling: 8 production wells, each 210-330 meters deep
Geothermal power: 14.64 MWth
Geothermal heating: 45.8 GWhth