Geothermal revolution in the border region – the GeoBuilding project has begun

The official opening conference of the GeoBuilding international project was held in Pécs on 15 January 2025, where participants received a comprehensive overview of the initiative aiming to harness geothermal potential in the cross-border region.

GeoBuilding promotes the use of geothermal energy for heating and cooling in the Hungarian–Croatian border area, with particular emphasis on development opportunities for public buildings. During the project, the University of Pécs and its cooperating partners will prepare investment-preparation documentation free of charge for 10 Hungarian and 10 Croatian public buildings, thereby supporting decision-makers in technological and financial planning. The buildings will be selected at the beginning of 2026 through a public call, ensuring that the programme responds to the region’s most relevant energy needs.

One of the project’s key innovations is an artificial-intelligence-based chatbot to be developed jointly with the Croatian partners, which will provide easily accessible, professionally grounded information to institutions, businesses and residents. The system will assist with questions such as the technical conditions for using geothermal energy, permitting requirements, or expected costs, thus supporting the full process of investment preparation.

Over its nearly four-year duration, the project will implement an extensive information programme in the region. Events organised for municipalities, condominium communities and young people will help them learn about the advantages, efficiency and technological background of geothermal energy. The initiative aims to enable stakeholders in the region to make well-founded decisions regarding future energy systems and to increase openness towards renewable energy sources.

The conference was opened by Dr Katalin Szili, member of the Board of Trustees of the Universitas Quinqueecclesiensis Foundation. In her speech, she emphasised the importance of systemic solutions and sustainable development.

“The first quarter of the 21st century has already passed; in the next 25 years, we must focus on long-term, systemic problem-solving. This is the approach taken by this project as well,” 

she highlighted in her speech. “ It also remains a question how individual countries can be encouraged to pursue the green transition, and how nations implement sustainability goals in their projects.”

After the opening, Dr Márton Szűcs presented the strategic cooperation programme of which the GeoBuilding project is also a part. This was followed by a detailed presentation of the GeoBuilding programme by Balázs Borkovits, who addressed its key milestones before giving the floor to the partners to introduce themselves.

Project partners:

• Regionalna energetska agencija Sjever

• Međimurska energetska agencija d.o.o.

• Međimurska županija

• IMRO-DDKK Környezetvédelmi Nonprofit Kft.

• VIDRA – Agencija za regionalni razvoj Virovitičko-podravske županije

• Grad Koprivnica

• Energetski institut Hrvoje Požar