Editorial: The need to integrate geothermal water into Colterm's energy economy

by Ilie-Vasile Sirbu, member of Climate Council

Timisoara is at a time when it must make courageous decisions for its energy future. Colterm, a vital system for tens of thousands of families, cannot remain indefinitely dependent on gas and an old network that loses up to half of the energy produced. In the context of climate change and economic pressures, the solution is clear: use the natural resource that we already have under us – the geothermal water in the Timisoara area.

For decades, we have known that our city sits on a valuable thermal reservoir, used locally, punctually, but never strategically integrated into the centralized heating system. We are not talking about fantasies, but about a real resource, already exploited in Sânmihaiu Român, Lovrin, Jimbolia, Sânnicolau Mare. All this demonstrates that geothermal water is stable, safe and accessible.

For Colterm, even a partial integration would be a huge step forward. We are not asking for the entire production to be taken over by thermal water, but a simple and efficient solution: preheating the cold water drawn from Bega, so that the plants no longer start from zero, from minus, but from a constant plus.

The physics is simple. If the boiler inlet comes at 10–20°C, not at 5°C or less, gas consumption decreases, the thermal shock on the installations is reduced, and Colterm's costs immediately decrease. This means lower bills for Timișoara residents, reduced CO₂ emissions and increased system stability. Basically, with the same infrastructure, the same staff and the same work pace, Colterm would produce cheaper and cleaner thermal energy.

The integration of geothermal water is not an environmental fad. It is an economic measure. Preheating water by renewable resources is standard in many countries in the European Union. It is part of the energy transition that Romania is obliged by European directives to embrace. Moreover, the investment can be carried out in partnership with universities in Timișoara – Politehnica, UVT, USVT – and can attract non-reimbursable European funds, because geothermal is considered green energy with a strategic priority.

The benefits are multiple:

– reduction of gas consumption;

– reduction of Colterm's financial losses;

– reduction of pollution and emissions that affect the city's air quality;

– extension of the equipment's lifespan;

– increase of the city's resilience to climate change.

For the people of Timișoara, this translates into something very concrete: a safer, cheaper and more predictable district heating system. For the local administration, it means a real chance to modernize the city without burdening the budget or the citizens. And for Colterm, it means a decisive step towards energy efficiency and independence.

Timișoara can't wait any longer. The geothermal resource is here, available, unused. It is time for the city to move from words to real solutions. Integrating thermal water into Colterm's energy economy is not just a good idea – it is an urgent necessity, a gesture of responsibility towards people and a step forward for a modern, smart and resilient city.