Ukraine to build its first geothermal-powered greenhouse complex

The western Lviv region will become a location for a new greenhouse complex that will operate using geothermal heat from the Earth's subsurface.

It will be used to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and peppers, Rubryka reports, citing Maksym Kozitskyi, the head of Lviv Regional Military Administration.

What's the problem?

With the help of modern technology, people have learned to accurately determine the location of geothermal resources and drill geothermal wells several kilometers deep. Unlike processing valuable minerals, geothermal power plants are not associated with any form of combustion, meaning they emit significantly fewer greenhouse gases into the environment.

The production of geothermal electricity ensures the stability of the entire national energy system. Unlike green energy sources that have an intermittent nature, geothermal energy can be generated 24/7 despite changing weather conditions.

Utilizing geothermal resources makes businesses independent of gas, leading to substantial savings on natural gas expenses and relieving them from paying utility bills.

What's the solution?

A greenhouse complex in the Lviv region will help save gas, amounting to 8 million cubic meters annually. 

"This will make it possible to supply vegetables at affordable prices," said Kozitskyi.

How does it work?

The regional leader explained that construction is planned to start next year, with the first phase set to be operational in 2025. Investments in the project amount to approximately €70 million.

According to him, such a project is being implemented in Ukraine for the first time, and there are only a few similar projects worldwide.

"The greenhouse complex will cultivate tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and lettuce. Since the main suppliers from Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions are temporarily occupied, and there is a shortage of greenhouse vegetables in Ukraine, this is a very relevant project," said Kozitskyi.

The head of the regional administration announced that the area of the greenhouse complex will be 15 hectares, providing employment for 180 people.

He also added that the project will be implemented by the company "Triosan Holding Ukraine," with support from the Lviv Regional State Administration and Lviv Regional Council. Kozitskyi mentioned that the respective Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on November 28.

The expenses will be covered by "Triosan Holding Ukraine," which has already entered into an agreement with an American financial company.

As a reminder, NGO No Waste Ukraine opened the country's first coffee shop at the sorting station in Kyiv.