Drilling for geothermal energy is accompanied by risks. The drilling operation is costly and does not always yield results. In order to help cover these risks, the Guarantee Scheme for Geothermal Energy (Only available in Dutch) was set up, covering the risks for geothermal energy falling under RNES (the National Economic Affairs Subsidies Regulation). The Guarantee Scheme for Geothermal Energy is opened periodically for applications.
The sixth opening was published on 13 April 2017: see the publication in the Staatscourant (Government Gazette).
Information on this sixth opening of the guarantee scheme can be found on the Netherlands Enterprise Agency website. Here too you can obtain the sixth opening’s handbook on the RNES Risks Cover for Thermal Energy: Guarantee scheme against the risk of unsuccessful drilling. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency website also contains information on previous openings, including the accompanying documentation. If you are eligible for the Guarantee Scheme for Geothermal Energy, you may submit your application to the agency.
When preparing your application you may use the DoubletCalc program to calculate the indicative geothermal power. This program made available by TNO, makes it easy to create the required probability graphs. Applicants who used DoubletCalc v1.3 in the first two openings can find the software in question here. The DoubletCalc 1.3 manual can be downloaded here.
Participation to the guarantee scheme requires the release of certain information after completion. This information can be found on the RVO-website.
The application for the Guarantee Scheme and any claim under this must meet certain stipulations relating to the geological research, the well testing and the calculation of the indicative geothermal power. Details are given in the following documents:
- Specifications for the geological research for geothermal projects: SDE+ and RNES reporting requirements” (April 2017) Note that this document has been modified since the preceding opening! Changes have been made to the reporting requirements. Report is in Dutch.
- Updated regulations for the well test and doublet test