Geothermal drilling permits
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The development and operation of geothermal drilling can be harmful to humans and the environment.
Geothermal drilling permits define the development and operating conditions deemed necessary to protect the environment and ensure the safety of workers, the public and the environment in general.
Geothermal drilling permit applications should be submitted to the Environment Agency ( Administration de l'environnement).
Who is concerned
Any natural or legal person, public or private, planning geothermal drilling projects, whether for personal or professional purposes, must apply for a permit.
A new permit is also required if already authorised installations:
- have not been put into operation within the deadline set on the initial permit;
- have been subject to a modification or extension;
- have been inactive for a period of more than 3 consecutive years;
- have been destroyed or put out of use due to an accident.
Prerequisites
Before starting a geothermal drilling project, it is advisable to verify that the plot is situated in an area where geothermal drilling may be authorised.
With this in view, the Water Management Authority has established a detailed mapping which lists the areas where drilling is not permitted and those which are subject to restrictions in terms of drilling depth.
For the area in question, click on the 'Geothermal heat pump' ('Restrictions pompes à chaleur') section in the 'Groundwater' ('Eaux souterraines') menu:
- in red, the zones where drilling is not permitted;
- in orange, the zones where drilling is not permitted or is subject to depth restrictions.
It is recommended to verify that all the elements necessary for drawing up the application for a class 1 classified establishment operating permit and the analysis of the need for an environmental impact assessment are available.
How to proceed
Mandatory authorisations
Geothermal drilling is always subject to:
- an application for a water permit (autorisation relative à l'eau);
- an application for a class 1 operating permit for classified establishments if the heat absorption capacity of the geothermal probes used exceeds 30 kW.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
Geothermal drilling projects which are subject to a class 1 classified establishment operating permit may also be subject to an environmental impact assessment.
Applicants must therefore provide the Environment Agency with all the elements that are necessary to evaluate the need for such an assessment.
Application processing deadlines
Application processing deadlines are the same as for any water permit application or for a class 1 classified establishment operating permit.
Notification of the decision to authorise or refuse a water permit is sent to the applicant within 3 months following the date on which confirmation that the application is complete was sent.
State aid
Geothermal drilling projects may, depending on the case, be eligible for investment aid regarding environmental protection and rational use of natural resources.
Who to contact
Environment Agency
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Environment Agency
- Address:
- 1, avenue du Rock'n'Roll L-4361 Esch-sur.Alzette
- Phone:
- (+352) 40 56 56 1
- Fax:
- (+352) 40 56 56 699
- Website:
- http://www.emwelt.lu/
-
Environment Agency Authorisations
- Address:
- 1, avenue du Rock'n'Roll L-4361 Esch-sur-Alzette
- Phone:
- (+352) 40 56 56 600
- Email address:
- commodo@aev.etat.lu
-
Environment Agency Authorisations - Transport and Trade of Waste
- Address:
- 1, avenue du Rock'n'Roll L-4361 Esch-sur-Alzette
- Phone:
- (+352) 40 56 56 500
- Fax:
- (+352) 49 62 56
- Email address:
- notification@aev.etat.lu
-
Environment Agency Quality and project management
- Address:
- 1, avenue du Rock'n'Roll L-4361 Esch-sur-Alzette
- Phone:
- (+352) 40 56 56 519
- Phone:
- (+352) 40 56 56 618
-
Environment Agency Strategies and Concepts
- Address:
- 1, avenue du Rock'n'Roll L-4361 Esch-sur-Alzette
- Phone:
- (+352) 40 56 56 1
- Fax:
- (+352) 40 56 56 699
- Email address:
- emballages@aev.etat.lu
-
Environment Agency Financial Aid
- Address:
- 1, avenue du Rock'n'Roll L - 4361 Esch-sur-Alzette
- Phone:
- (+352) 40 56 56 444
- Email address:
- car-e@aev.etat.lu
- Website:
- http://www.emwelt.lu
-
Environment Agency Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
- Address:
- 1, avenue du Rock'n'Roll L-4361 Esch-sur-Alzette
- Phone:
- (+352) 40 56 56 200
- Email address:
- chauffage@aev.etat.lu
- Website:
- http://www.emwelt.lu
-
Environment Agency Authorisations - Polluted sites and cessation of activities
- Address:
- 1, avenue du Rock'n'Roll L-4361 Esch-sur-Alzette
- Phone:
- (+352) 40 56 56 600
- Email address:
- sites.pollues@aev.etat.lu
- Website:
- http://www.emwelt.lu
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Water Management Agency
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Water Management Agency (AGE)
- Address:
- 1, avenue du Rock'n'Roll L-4361 Esch-sur Alzette
- Phone:
- (+352) 24 75 05 00
- Email address:
-
eau@eau.etat.lu
Demandes d'ordre général
- Email address:
-
communication@eau.etat.lu
Demandes de presse
- Email address:
-
finances@eau.etat.lu
Questions relatives à des factures
- Website:
- https://www.waasser.lu
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Legal references
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Règlement grand-ducal modifié du 7 mars 2003
concernant l'évaluation des incidences de certains projets publics et privés sur l'environnement
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Règlement grand-ducal du 10 mai 2012
portant nouvelles nomenclature et classification des établissements classés
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Loi modifiée du 19 décembre 2008
relative à l'eau
