StoryRegulatory
EU names two more geothermal lithium projects, Arverne in France and Altmark in Germany, as Strategic Projects
The European Commission has classified two geothermal lithium projects as Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act: Lithium de France's Arverne project in Alsace and Neptune Energy's Altmark project in Germany. Both extract lithium from geothermal brine to make battery-grade lithium compounds, and the label helps with finance and shortens permitting. The output figures are company targets, not confirmed production.
- Lithium de France (Arverne, Alsace) targets 27,000 tonnes of lithium a year over 30 years, co-producing 2 TWh of geothermal heat. Drilling and testing of its first well are complete.
- Neptune Energy (Altmark, Germany) uses brine from existing natural gas wells and targets up to 25,000 tonnes of lithium carbon equivalent a year by 2030. It is in pilot testing now.
- Vulcan Energy (Germany) and Eramet (France) had already received the same classification.
- The Critical Raw Materials Act aims for 10% of the EU's annual strategic raw material use to be extracted in Europe, and 40% processed there by 2030.
- Caveats: the article says the projects could contribute to those targets, not that they will meet them, and it does not detail the financial support or permitting changes.