In the News
01.11.11Geothermal Engineering Ltd awarded £6m
by the Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) for drilling and testing the first well at the United Downs project.
Geothermal Engineering Ltd has been awarded £6 million towards the cost of a geothermal plant in Cornwall. Geothermal Engineering Ltd already has planning permission to build the plant, which is located at the United Downs, near Redruth in Cornwall. A pioneering research centre into geothermal energy is also planned in conjunction with the University of Exeter Sustainability Institute.
The development of the UK’s deep geothermal industry will mean job creation, not only in the geothermal sector but in related sectors such as engineering, manufacturing and construction.
Ryan Law, Managing Director of Geothermal Engineering Ltd, and Chair of the Renewable Energy Association’s Deep Geothermal Group said: “We are pleased that the government has recognised the potential of the deep geothermal industry in the South West of the UK. The grant will be used to leverage significant levels of private funding into the United Downs deep geothermal project. The geothermal industry was disappointed at the outcome of the Renewable Obligation Certificate Review published at the end of October. However, this grant will help the industry move forward.
“Once the first plant is operational, we will roll out further projects across Devon and Cornwall which could produce up to a total of 300MW of electricity. The South West has a great geothermal resource and developing this resource will mean more jobs, more British engineering expertise, and more clean energy for the country.”