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Geothermal heating of Zugló city centre could deliver fatal blow to Budapest’s thermal baths
Gigantic projects like the entire government district in Zugló, behind the Bosnyák square market, might be left without heating and hot water—unless the government office is willing to risk destroying Budapest’s thermal baths.
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Geothermal energy beneath Budapest
During the energy crisis, harnessing the geothermal heat under Budapest to heat shopping centres and housing estates, as well as providing hot water in an eco-friendly way, seemed like a brilliant idea. However, nobody considered what would happen if large volumes of thermal water were extracted—thermal baths could suffer shortages, or even more likely, the flow changes could alter the medicinal water’s composition. This could leave massive projects, such as the entire Zugló city centre, without heating or hot water.
The mayor lost everything
In 2022, the “Zugló city centre project” received building permission as a priority government investment. The buildings were designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, aiming to create a brand-new, modern district that would function not only as a shopping centre but also as headquarters for state institutions, ministries, and banks. The then mayor of Zugló, Csaba Horváth, strongly supported the project, while the main contractor was Bayer Construct, a company closely tied to Attila Balázs, partner of István Tiborcz, the prime minister’s son-in-law.
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Later in 2022, the state bought the office buildings to be constructed for 244 billion forints. This was justified by the claim that various ministries would operate more cost-effectively in these buildings, which would be more sustainable than the previous headquarters.
Local residents protested fiercely against the construction. As a result, Csaba Horváth, the socialist mayor, lost the 2024 election in Zugló. Since then, he has appeared as a consultant for Bayer Construct in several negotiations.
The wells were drilled, but then the dominoes started to fall
Besides the locals, the planners overlooked one “tiny” problem that could topple the entire project—or if it goes ahead, dry up the city’s thermal wells and wreck all spa tourism. They intended to heat and supply hot water for the new city centre using thermal wells and geothermal energy. These wells were prematurely drilled in 2023, but never officially commissioned.
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In August, the application was submitted again, but much has changed. During the energy crisis, the government opened the way for exploiting Budapest’s geothermal energy (i.e., extracting hot thermal water from the karst layers), but so many applications came in that the brakes were put on. A study was commissioned to examine the consequences of pumping out this thermal water beneath Budapest.
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According to Népszava, the study revealed shocking results. Already established wells have caused significant changes. If water levels drop further (meaning even more extraction), there is a risk that flow paths will change, affecting not only the volume but also the chemistry and temperature. The consequence could be the complete collapse of Budapest’s medicinal bath system, a major source of revenue for the city that funds other unprofitable sectors.
Will the new Zugló city centre go cold?
For now, relatively few drilling permits have been granted. The Pest County Government Office is scrutinising Bayer Construct’s application to commission their wells, which are located in a red zone where experts strongly advise against extracting thermal water by any means.
The Budapest Thermal Baths Operator (BGYH) is very concerned about the project, stating that even thorough research struggles to predict the effects of such interventions in the sensitive and complex Budapest thermal karst system.
Népszava claims the investor need not worry; but are the thermal baths doomed?
Népszava suggests that Attila Balázs, with his strong NER (government faction) connections, will get the permit for his thermal wells. Otherwise, his entire office complex (and a 168-flat residential building with shops) would be left without heating and hot water. The question is what consequences this project alone would have for Budapest’s thermal baths. He also has a similar project nearby, planning a new district with 3,500 flats behind the Pólus Centre, to be heated with geothermal energy.
How did Balázs Attila’s Zugló city centre project originally get building permission without anyone knowing the impact of geothermal energy use? At the time, the government office said no environmental impact assessment was necessary, but this was later revoked by the courts. The decision now rests again with the Pest County Government Office.
Another peabrained “green” bulls… scheme.
Can these “green” idiots buy a clue!? Every single one of their initiatives is a failure!
Again Steiner and his bullsh#t, you were amazed by the green nonesense but you didnt comment as usual how the main constructor is in tie with Orban’s son-in-law!!
“government office said no environmental impact assessment was necessary”
And this is how the current government is (and has been) destroying Hungary. Who cares what the consequences are as long as governments friends get lucrative business deals. Future generations will be wondering how all this destruction of nature was allowed, all for someone close to government to make money out of destroying our environment.