The Potential for Geothermal Energy in the U.K. Heats Up

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While the United Kingdom government has made its interest in geothermal energy known for quite some time, nothing major has come out of it — until recently.

The first deep geothermal plant is near completion, marking an encouraging turning point for the country.

How the U.K. Is Investing in Sustainable Energy

Geothermal energy makes up a mere fraction of energy consumption in the U.K., but the government is working to change that. The United Downs project — the country’s first attempt at a deep geothermal plant — is nearing completion after over a decade of conceptualization, engineering, and construction.

Thanks to a government funding package, Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL), an energy company based in the U.K., is currently building a deep geothermal network in Cornwall. You might be surprised to hear the multimillion-pound project is almost finished — it’s set to be operational by the end of 2024.

While the plant will power on soon, it’ll take until 2028 to reach its goal of producing 25 megawatts (MW) of electricity — meaning 1 million watts — and 100 megawatt-hours (MWh) of heat energy. By then, it should easily be able to power over 70,000 U.K. homes. GEL plans to expand after completing this project to help more people benefit from geothermal energy.

How Do You Benefit from Geothermal Investments?

The U.K. government’s investments are exciting because they mean you can finally stop relying on fossil fuels for electricity, heating, and cooling. Underground temperatures remain consistent year-round, heat pumps produce no greenhouse gas emissions, and the country has numerous sedimentary basins full of groundwater, making geothermal energy the ideal solution.

Of course, that’s not the only reason you should get excited — a geothermal heat pump can offer more savings than fossil fuels. According to experts, geothermal heating can offer homeowners savings of up to 80% on energy costs.

If you’re like most people, you’ll appreciate that geothermal heat pumps are silent, durable, and more efficient than other renewable energy sources. However, those minor benefits pale in comparison to the bigger picture. Ultimately, the government’s investment in this power source could bring new life into communities nationwide.

Geothermal Could Revitalize U.K. Communities

Because of geothermal energy, the U.K. government has a unique opportunity to revitalize underserved communities. According to one report, many of the poorest towns in Britain have the greatest potential for geothermal energy production.

Areas where the U.K. government is investing in Leveling Up projects — its initiatives to grow local economies, create jobs and make towns safer — are roughly three times as likely to overflow with untapped underground energy. While the report’s author says the connection was unexpected, they believe it provides a promising opportunity.

The government wants to achieve net zero by 2050, and these towns are in desperate need of attention. Geothermal investments offer a great excuse for funding, making them a win-win.

Can U.K. Communities Afford to Invest in Geothermal?

The surge in abandoned coal mines and natural gas demand has caused the price of energy to skyrocket. If you’re like most U.K. citizens, you’re probably well aware of this fact — and its impact on your wallet. Fortunately, communities like yours have countless unexplored opportunities to tap into geothermal energy.

Even if the government isn’t footing the bill, your community might still have investment opportunities. After all, at least 25% of U.K. homes are situated above abandoned coal mines. When the mines ceased operations and the water pumps shut off, groundwater flooded the shafts. Now, the conditions are perfect for geothermal heat pumps.

The groundwater in most flooded mine shafts sits at about 40 degrees Celsius, which is enough to heat homes. However, they’d need to be about 160 degrees Celsius to produce electricity. The silver lining is that your community can skip drilling new boreholes, which is the most expensive part of geothermal plant construction.

The Promising Potential of Geothermal Energy Investments

The U.K. government, private companies and local communities should continue investing in geothermal technology. They can accelerate their progress toward a net-zero future while providing citizens with a more affordable, durable, and reliable energy source.

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Manuela WillboldOnline Media & PR Strategist

Blogger and Educator by Passion | Senior Online Media & PR Strategist at ClickDo Ltd. | Fascinated to Write Lifestyle Blogs in News & Education I have completed a journalism summer course at the London School of Journalism and manage various blogs.