Geothermal drilling operations in the Netherlands as part of the SCAN program (source: SCAN Aardwarmte)
The Netherlands has made great progress in de-risking potential geothermal sites with the drilling of eight exploration wells under the SCAN program.
After more than two years, the SCAN program has completed the drilling of eight geothermal wells across the Netherlands. Research results from all eight exploratory boreholes will be made publicly accessible via NLOG.nl, facilitating the development of geothermal projects for the heating of gomes, greenhouses, and commercial buildings.
The SCAN program’s objective was to collect the necessary data to determine which sites in the Netherlands were suitable for geothermal energy extraction. The drilling campaign covered roughly half of the country, allowing for the collection of relevant knowledge about the subsurface.
The drilling campaign was also successful in collecting a total of 1347 meters in drill cores. Analysis of these cores is still ongoing, along with the supplementary seismic data collected during the 3D seismic survey of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area in late 2025.
Geothermal prospect areas highlighted by SCAN
The results from the SCAN boreholes highlight three areas that have potentially exploitable geothermal resources.
Two SCAN boreholes indicated that there are opportunities for geothermal energy extraction in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, hosted by the Slochteren Formation both in the areas north and south of the IJ. The Strandeiland Amsterdam borehole also revealed that the shallow lying Breda Formation is permeable, making it a candidate formation for high-temperature store.
Drilling rig at Strandeiland in Amsterdam, Netherlands (source: SCAN)
Three SCAN boreholes in De Bilt, Ede, and Ouderkark aan de Amstel, indicate that there are opportunities for geothermal energy in the northeastern part of Utrecht and the adjacent part of Gelderland. All three boreholes again penetrated the Slochteren Formation, which showed good permeability.
Four SCAN boreholes were drilled in North Brabant, positioned so that their results would be relevant to parts of the provinces of Limburg, South Holland, Gelderland, and Zeeland.
The borehole in Heijningen indicated that the Brussels Sand layer, at 500 to 1000 meters depth, has significant permeability and could be an interesting target for shallow geothermal. The borehole in Stad van Gerwen once again identified the highly permeably Breda Formation as another target for shallow geothermal energy.
The boreholes in Heesch and Milheeze showed that it is possible to produce water from Triassic formations, with three geological layers classified as permeable.
Future studies
Building on the knowledge collected from the SCAN boreholes, geological studies have already been commissioned in various regions to give meaning to the results. This enables municipalities and potential initiators to make a better-informed decision regarding where geothermal energy can and cannot become a sustainable replacement for natural gas.
The Brabant Implication Studies launched on behalf of EBN with co-financing from the provinces of North Brabant expects results to be delivered in phases between early and late 2026.
PanTerra has been commissioned by the provinces of Utrecht, Gelderland, and the FoodValley region to produce updates to geological studies. In the Amersfoort region, IF Technology is working on a feasibility study for geothermal and high-temperature storage for the municipalities.
SCAN plans to conduct further seismic research in the northeast part of Utrecht for better characterize the subsurface and evaluate opportunities for geothermal heat. This is planned for late 2026 or early 2027.
Following the results of the boreholes and a seismic survey, the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area is now determining locations that are suitable for geothermal heat production. Working with Vattenfall and EBN, the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area aims to start operations of the first geothermal source by 2031.
Source: SCAN Aardwarmte