The use of geothermal energy in China reached a new record with the successful drilling of a high-temperature well in Shandong province.
The project, located in the Yellow River delta, recorded 162 degrees Celsius at its bottom. These are the highest temperatures in the east of the country. Moreover, they are key for the generation of renewable energy.
This Friday, the Provincial Office of Geology and Mineral Resources announced the completion of the works in this area of China. Therefore, this will allow the start of supplying users in the area with the geothermal energy generated there.
In particular, it is noteworthy that the well achieved unprecedented efficiency parameters for the region. Thus, it consolidates China’s unstoppable progress towards clean energy sources such as geothermal.
The geothermal energy potential of the new well in China
The director of the Shandong Geo-mineral Exploration Institute, Zhang Yunfeng, highlighted that the stable thermal power of the well is estimated at 21.57 megawatts.
Meanwhile, the water output at the surface reached 138 degrees Celsius, representing a significant resource for the local energy matrix.
The well’s electricity generation capacity will allow the production of about 25,200 kilowatt-hours daily of green energy.
This amount is sufficient to meet the demand of 10,000 residents, marking a milestone in the utilization of geothermal energy in China.
The environmental benefits of geothermal energy
The environmental impact of the project translates into concrete figures that reinforce the transition to renewables:
- Coal substitution: Capacity to supply 94,000 tons of steam annually, replacing 18,800 tons of coal
- Emission reduction: Estimated savings of 48,900 tons of carbon dioxide per year
- Clean energy generation: Emission-free electricity production for thousands of homes
The model implemented in Shandong demonstrates how Chinese geothermal energy directly contributes to reducing fossil fuel dependence.
The elimination of nearly 19,000 tons of coal annually represents a substantial advance in the fight against climate change.
Circular economy and total utilization
The China project stands out for its circular economy system that maximizes the use of geothermal resources to generate clean energy.
The water used for electricity generation or industrial processes, at 80 degrees Celsius, will be used for centralized heating of residential areas. These areas cover nearly two million square meters.
The final residual heat, at about 60 degrees, will be used in smart greenhouses and large-scale aquaculture projects.
This complete utilization cycle ensures that no thermal resource is wasted.
China currently leads the world scale in direct utilization of geothermal energy.
Despite this, the country is not resting on its laurels and plans to expand these sustainable models to strengthen public welfare. Likewise, they seek economic growth through stable and low-emission renewable resources.
The success of the well in Shandong confirms the potential of Chinese geothermal energy as a fundamental pillar in the global energy transition.
The combination of high efficiency, comprehensive utilization, and measurable environmental benefits positions this technology as a viable alternative to reduce emissions. Especially, it is useful without compromising economic development.
