Hotel Sunce in Sokobanja Invests in a More Sustainable Future: Geothermal Heating System
Hotel Sunce in Sokobanja is launching a project to introduce a geothermal heating system that will replace the existing solid biomass heating system with a more efficient solution based on a renewable energy source. The project represents an important step towards improving the hotel's energy efficiency, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and ensuring more sustainable operations in the long term.
Energy from Beneath the Earth's Surface
The project includes drilling a 500-metre-deep geothermal well, installing water-to-water heat pumps, constructing the necessary pipeline infrastructure, and installing water treatment and storage systems. The new system will become the hotel's primary heating source, while the existing boilers will remain operational as backup sources, ensuring a reliable heat supply.
The system has a total designed capacity of 829 kW, with an expected annual heat output of approximately 2.9 GWh. According to projections, the project is expected to reduce annual CO₂ emissions by approximately 630 tonnes.
An Innovative Solution for the Hospitality Sector
What makes this project particularly distinctive is the use of an on-site geothermal source combined with high-efficiency water-to-water heat pumps, representing a rare example of this type of solution being implemented in the Serbian hotel industry.
By harnessing locally available geothermal energy, Hotel Sunce is taking an important step towards more responsible resource management and reducing the environmental impact of its operations. This model could also serve as an example for other tourism facilities located in areas with suitable geothermal potential.
For Hotel Sunce, investing in sustainability is an integral part of its long-term development vision. The goal is to continuously improve service quality and guest comfort while using energy more efficiently and preserving the natural surroundings that make Sokobanja a special destination for relaxation.
Supporting the Green Transition
The project is being implemented with the support of the “EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia” initiative, which promotes the green transition, improved energy efficiency, and the adoption of sustainable solutions in Serbia.
The “EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia” project is implemented by UNDP, with technical and financial support from the European Union and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with additional financial contributions provided by the governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Serbia.
Donor: Government of Switzerland
Amount of self-financing: USD 322,895.17 / Amount of co-financing: USD 318,376.56
TOTAL VALUE OF THE INNOVATION: USD 641,270.73
