AEW Energie AG is joining Geo-Energie Jura SA as a further shareholder, thereby strengthening the deep geothermal pilot project in Haute-Sorne in the Jura region. This climate-neutral technology is a cornerstone of the Energy Strategy 2050+ and is set to supply electricity and heat throughout Switzerland in future.
AEW Energie AG is joining Geo-Energie Jura SA as a further shareholder, thereby bolstering the deep geothermal pilot project in Haute-Sorne in the Jura region. This climate-neutral technology is a cornerstone of the Energy Strategy 2050+ and is set to supply electricity and heat throughout Switzerland in future.
AEW is investing in deep geothermal energy in the knowledge that Switzerland’s largest energy source lies directly beneath our feet. This strengthens support for the Swiss flagship project in the municipality of Haute-Sorne in the canton of Jura.
AEW has recognised the opportunities offered by deep geothermal energy and the significant potential presented by its imminent scaling-up and market readiness. It is considering applying this technology in its own supply area in future to provide the population with electricity and heat. The government of the canton of Aargau decided several years ago to create favourable framework conditions for the use of deep geothermal energy. The timing for entry into the market is favourable, as drilling technology has made enormous progress in recent years, significantly improving the economic viability of geothermal plants.
The Haute-Sorne project
In the municipality of Haute-Sorne, Geo-Energie Jura SA is planning a geothermal power plant to be fed by two boreholes approximately 5,000 metres deep. This is a flagship project designed to demonstrate the technological feasibility of deep geothermal energy utilisation in the Swiss subsoil. The exploratory drilling and the tests, which were completed in 2025, were very successful. The power station is due to connect to the grid in 2029 with an electrical output of up to 5 MW, which corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of 6,000–10,000 households.
The government of the Canton of Jura granted the framework authorisation back in 2015 and has been closely supporting the project ever since. Over the course of the summer, Geo-Energie Jura SA expects to receive approval to continue this pilot project, which is also receiving financial support from the federal government and institutional backing. In its ‘Energy Perspectives 2050+’, the federal government envisages geothermal electricity generation of 2 TWh per year. With regard to heat, the industry estimates the potential at around 17 TWh per year. This would cover around a quarter of Switzerland’s total heating demand by 2050.
The potential of deep geothermal energy
The new sequential stimulation method being used in the Jura was developed in Switzerland and is now also in use in the USA. There, large-scale investment is currently being made in the latest generation of deep geothermal energy. The boom is attributable to the growing energy demand of AI data centres. This innovative technology can also play a key role in Switzerland’s sustainable energy supply.
Deep geothermal energy is:
- CO2-free and renewable
- available round the clock (base-load energy)
- independent of foreign raw materials
- flexible in its use depending on demand.
With its flexible baseload energy, deep geothermal energy can help bridge the winter electricity gap. In addition to electricity, the power stations also produce heat to supply towns and industrial companies and serve as seasonal energy storage facilities.
AEW, Geo-Energie Jura and their shareholders are signing an investment agreement. The investment is subject to formal decisions by the relevant committees and authorities.
- Further information from AEW: David Gautschi, Head of Production and Member of the Executive Board of AEW Energie AG, phone +41 62 834 21 11
- Further information from Geo-Energie Jura SA: Olivier Zingg, Director, phone +41 79 321 43 20
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AEW Energie AG is an independent company owned by the Canton of Aargau. By providing a secure and climate-friendly energy supply, AEW makes a significant contribution to the region’s attractiveness as a business location and to the quality of life there. It aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 at the latest. As an integrated energy service provider, AEW is involved in the production of electricity and heating/cooling, and acts as a leading network operator and supplier for its customers. For electricity generation, AEW focuses on hydropower, solar and wind energy. It also provides services in network- and energy-related sectors, as well as in telecommunications. |
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Geo-Energie Suisse AG is the Swiss centre of excellence for deep geothermal energy for power and heat generation. The company was founded in November 2010. Its founding members include municipal utilities and regional energy suppliers from across Switzerland (aet, EBL, ewz, EOS, ewb, GVM, iwb). Geo-Energie Suisse AG employs around 20 people and is supported on an ad hoc basis by external specialists. |
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Geo-Energie Jura SA was founded in 2015. Its shareholders are Geo-Energie Suisse AG, ebl, ewb and ewz. The company’s purpose is to implement and subsequently operate the Haute-Sorne geothermal project. Under a tripartite agreement concluded in June 2015 between the Municipality of Haute-Sorne, the Canton of Jura and Geo-Energie Suisse AG, the company is based in the Municipality of Haute-Sorne. |
Further information on the development and use of deep geothermal energy: https://en.geo-energie.ch/deep-geothermal/