Despite efforts to keep the project alive, EnergeÔ has agreed to abandon its geothermal well in Vinzel, Switzerland, after data indicated forecast energy output was insufficient to make the well financially viable.

However, while the resource had a high artesian flow rate of 150l/s, heat was only 33°C, compared to an expected 80°C. The Vinzel site will now be restored, and the well sealed.

Another likely reason for the abandonment though is that Vinzel competes directly with ThermorésÔ's Gland data centre in nearby Vaud, which is producing "free heat" at similar temperatures. And to make the project more commercially appealing, a second reinjection well would have been required along with the construction of a Vinzel-Gland pipeline, ramping up project costs substantially.

The Canton of Vaud also conducted a feasibility study for utilising the combined Vinzel-Vaud heat at a regional level but further investment was needed with profits difficult to  guarantee.

Other uses for Vinzel – irrigation, greenhouse heating, thermal baths – were considered but stalled due to the investment required to restart production trials, again without any guarantee of being able to commercially exploit the geothermal water.

The shareholders decision to pull the plug of course is not one EnergeÔ would have anticipated but the experience will no doubt lend itself to better planning for other projects in the region.

3D geophysical surveys have already confirmed that geothermal energy on the Côte – a premier wine-producing region between Nyon and Lausanne – is "a real possibility", and  EnergeÔ plans to carry out exploratory drilling. But results for the Aubonne, Etoy, and Morges regions are still being refined. Initial findings suggest that the geothermal potential is significant, says the company.

The Vinzel drilling project was launched in November 2020 (pictured below) to much fanfare with project partners emphasising the importance of the project and commending EnergeÔ's initiative.