GEOTHERMAL DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN-EUROPE - TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

This paper surveys the geothermal potential in Poland, the Czech Repub lic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It is shown that a significant part of the domestic heating needs of these countries could be met by geothermal resources, which would reduce air pollution in Central Europe. The aut hor discusses the obstacles to the development of geothermal resources , such as unrealistically low energy prices and weak financial and ins titutional infrastructure, and puts them in the context of the transit ion of the countries in Central and Eastern Europe from command to mar ket economy. He emphasizes the need for market price reform, new finan cing mechanisms, and technology transfer to promote geothermal develop ment in the formerly communist countries, as well as the importance of well-prepared pilot projects.