SYDNEY: Vulcan Energy (ASX: VUL, FSE: VUL) announced it has secured building permits for a 30-megawatt geothermal renewable energy plant and electrical substation as part of its Phase One Lionheart Project in Landau, Germany. The project aims to integrate lithium production with renewable energy generation for Europe’s battery electric vehicle industry.
The geothermal plant will supply baseload renewable power to the grid and Vulcan’s operations, supporting carbon-neutral lithium production. The company already operates a smaller 4.8-megawatt geothermal plant in Germany, providing power for approximately 6,500 homes and selling renewable heat.
Cris Moreno, Vulcan’s managing director and CEO, said the permits reflect Germany’s commitment to local renewable energy. “We plan to produce battery-quality lithium from the same geothermal brine used for energy production,” Moreno stated.
The project aligns with Germany’s €500 billion Special Infrastructure Investment Fund, which includes €100 billion for renewable energy initiatives. The government has pledged expanded support for geothermal energy, including grid compatibility improvements and a Geothermal Acceleration Act.
Vulcan’s Lionheart Project, located in the Upper Rhine Valley, holds Europe’s largest lithium resource. The company aims to produce sustainable lithium for European electric vehicle batteries using its proprietary VULSORB® technology.