The geothermal heating and cooling system has been designed to entirely replace the use of natural gas by Schneider Electric Bulgaria in their smart factory. The retrofit of the system has been done alongside a EUR 60 million expansion of the smart factory which started last year. The new factory and geothermal system area already in the final stages of development adn should be operational in the short-term.
Recoupment of the investment on the geothermal system is expected in 10 to 13 years.
The transition to geothermal of the facility in Bulgaria with in line with the commitment of Schneider Electric of attaining carbon-neutral operations by 2025 and and reduce CO2 emissions by 25% across their entire value chain by 2030.
The move is also part of the commitment made by Schneider Electric Bulgaria to the carbon zero charter of the Trakia Economic Zone which aspires to be the first carbon-neutral industrial zone in Europe. The management of the complex is hoping that this initiative will further attract strategic investors.
Various studies indicate that Bulgaria is rich in geothermal sites with at least 840 water sources that have temperatures of up to 103 degrees Celsius. Earlier this year, the World Bank agreed to provide analytical and advisory support to the Bulgarian Ministry of Energy to make the most of the country’s geothermal natural assets.
