PW Energy plans power plants near Prešov and Žiar nad Hronom. (source: Courtesy of PW Energy)
The warm spring waters at the Bešeňová water park, situated between the towns of Ružomberok and Liptovský Mikuláš in northern Slovakia, draw tens of thousands of visitors every year. But few of those same visitors are likely to be aware that the geothermal energy that heats the water is not used solely for the park’s pools.
It also heats the water that runs through the entire facility, as well as the resort’s hotels, restaurants, offices, and even some of its outdoor pavements.
Now, the water park’s representatives say they want to expand its use.
“Increasing the utilisation of geothermal energy is one of the systemic solutions to the current situation on the energy market, especially the increase in energy prices,” Martina Šavrnochová, marketing specialist at the Bešeňová water park, told The Slovak Spectator. “It will also help to strengthen the resort’s independence and increase the environmental friendliness of its operation.”
Geothermal water is currently used mostly for recreational purposes, although some municipalities use it in their central heating systems. But experts say its potential remains untapped, with past governments having largely ignored it.
