The Greater Munich area continues to drive forward the use of geothermal energy: DMT commissioned to carry out its largest ever inner-city seismic survey to assess geothermal potential
Essen/Munich, 19 August 2025 – The Greater Munich area is regarded as a pioneer in Germany in the use of climate-friendly heat from deep underground. Now, the Bavarian capital and the surrounding municipalities wish to commission a study to explore the further development potential of this regional energy resource and ensure its sustainable use. DMT, a company within the TÜV NORD GROUP, has been commissioned to carry out seismic surveys of the subsurface as part of the GIGA-M research project. The largest measurement campaign ever undertaken in an urban area in Germany is set to begin as early as the first half of 2026.
The GIGA-M research project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), is a joint initiative between the Technical University of Munich (co-ordinator), Stadtwerke München (head of the seismic programme), Energie-Wende-Garching (partner in the seismic programme), the Ebersberg-Munich Energy Agency, the District of Munich and the City of Munich. The aim of the seismic survey is to identify suitable hot water reservoirs beneath Munich. To this end, the subsurface is being surveyed seismically over a large area to obtain an accurate picture of the geological structures. The data collected will also help to select specific sites for new geothermal plants, integrate existing plants optimally and further expand the supply of renewable heat. In this way, GIGA-M is laying the foundations for a safe, climate-friendly and affordable heat supply and taking the Munich region a significant step closer to achieving climate neutrality by 2045.
“Munich, one of Germany’s largest conurbations, is increasingly turning to geothermal energy. The planned Acceleration Act will also further strengthen the legal framework for geothermal energy. We expect demand to remain high, as many local authorities are seeking ways to achieve their climate targets as part of their municipal heating plans,” says Dr Maik Tiedemann, CEO of DMT GmbH & Co. KG and CEO of the TÜV NORD GROUP’s Energy & Resources business unit.
The Greater Munich area lies within the pre-Alpine molasse basin, a region that is geologically particularly well-suited to geothermal exploitation. DMT has been supporting the Munich region in exploring the deep subsurface for usable heat since 2007. The new, large-scale seismic survey campaign is intended to establish the data set required for a significant expansion of geothermal capacity from the current level of approximately 400 megawatts to over 1 gigawatt – enough to supply tens of thousands of additional households with climate-friendly heat. Covering an area of 1,100 km², this is the largest seismic survey ever carried out in a German urban area.
To assess the potential in the deep subsurface, specialised survey vehicles (vibro-trucks) send gentle seismic pulses into the ground. These pulses are reflected by rock formations and recorded by a network of geophones (receiver modules). A detailed 3D model of the subsurface is then created from the data obtained.
Based on this model, precise target areas for the extraction of hot thermal water can then be identified.
“Previously, at the end of 2024, the largest contiguous urban area in Germany to date was surveyed seismically in Münster – now Munich is taking over. With an area more than four times that of the Münster project, the survey in Munich is of a scale unprecedented to date. Such large-scale surveys in densely populated urban areas are challenging, but with the necessary expertise they are feasible and indispensable if we are to tap into the geothermal potential for a future-proof heat supply,” said Dr Christian Henke, Head of Seismic Exploration & Processing at DMT.
Deep geothermal energy plays a central role in the transformation of Germany’s heat supply. And its potential is enormous: according to the German Geothermal Association, it could meet at least 25 per cent of the country’s heat demand. Its importance is also increasingly being recognised at federal level – the federal government is providing over 1.5 billion euros for expansion by 2030. The new funding programme ‘Deep Geothermal Energy for Heating Networks’ provides targeted support for municipal projects in particular.
According to the Federal Environment Agency, the use of deep geothermal energy can save up to 40 million tonnes of CO₂ annually – a crucial contribution towards achieving climate neutrality by 2045.
Public acceptance is also high: according to recent surveys (e.g. by Fraunhofer IEG, 2024), more than 60 per cent of Germans support the expansion of geothermal energy use, particularly where potential disruption to local residents remains minimal.Never before has deep geothermal energy featured so prominently on the political agenda – and it is set to become a key factor in ensuring a secure, affordable and climate-neutral heat supply.