GeoCamp Iceland and Lipik Celebrate Successful Geothermal Collaboration

On April 12, 2024, the collaboration between GeoCamp Iceland and the municipality of Lipik, Croatia, reached its successful conclusion, celebrated at a final event in Lipik. This two-year partnership, supported by the EEA Financial Mechanism under the “Energy and Climate Change” program, focused on exploring geothermal energy potential and advancing sustainable practices in the region. The project has been hailed as a significant step forward in using geothermal resources for energy and beyond.

Ólafur Jón Arnbjörnsson, Director and Founder of GeoCamp Iceland, attended the event and shared his reflections on the collaboration. He expressed his satisfaction with the mutual knowledge exchange and the progress made during the partnership. “People often rely more on fossil fuels than on geothermal energy, which is understandable given the focus on energy in the context of climate change,” he said. “Although we are leaders in the use of geothermal energy in Iceland, we see that other applications of geothermal water are also important in the future.”

The event highlighted the achievements of the project, which included the development of comprehensive technical documentation for geothermal energy use in Lipik, knowledge exchange between Icelandic experts and local Croatian stakeholders, and the creation of educational programs to engage the local community. The collaboration also explored innovative ways to utilise geothermal water in areas like agriculture and tourism, broadening its impact beyond energy production.

During the celebration, attendees participated in presentations and discussions that detailed the project’s outcomes and its potential to influence sustainable development in the region. Site visits to Lipik’s geothermal resources provided a tangible connection to the project’s goals, showcasing the region’s natural assets and their possibilities. Panel discussions brought together local and international experts to reflect on the partnership and explore further innovations in geothermal applications.

The collaboration underscored the importance of international partnerships in addressing global energy and environmental challenges. Lipik’s Mayor expressed deep gratitude for Iceland’s support and highlighted the project as a foundational step for the town’s sustainable future. The event also served as an opportunity to envision how the lessons learned from this initiative could inspire similar projects worldwide.
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Ólafur Jón Arnbjörnsson closed the event by reaffirming GeoCamp Iceland’s dedication to fostering international cooperation. “This partnership demonstrates the power of shared expertise and mutual learning,” he said. “By working together, we can empower communities to harness their natural resources responsibly and create sustainable solutions for future generations.”

With the project’s completion, Lipik is well-positioned to implement its geothermal strategy, paving the way for sustainable growth in energy, agriculture, and tourism. GeoCamp Iceland remains committed to promoting renewable energy and environmental education through similar partnerships, furthering its mission to inspire global change.

• Press release in English: https://izvori-lipika.hr/en/2024/06/lipik-and-iceland-together-in-the-research-of-geothermal-potential/
• Pree release in Croatian: https://www.compas.com.hr/clanak/9/12797/lipik-i-island-zajedno-u-istrazivanju-geotermalnih-potencijala.html