UK Opens First Geothermal Power Plant in Green Energy Shift

The UK’s first deep geothermal power plant has opened today in Cornwall, South-West England, after nearly two decades in development.

The project cost £50million to develop, funded through private investors and the European Development Fund will provide clean electricity for around 10,000 homes. It will also provide the UK’s first domestic supply of lithium, a critical element used in green technology.

The UK government currently plans to have 95% of Britain’s electricity provided by clean sources by 2030. Other European countries are also developing geothermal technologies. The Netherlands announced it will aim for a quarter of homes to be heated through geothermal energy by 2050. European nations still face energy security concerns due to a continuing reliance on fossil fuels from Russia and the Middle East.

Geothermal Power works by pumping heat (with water) from the Earth's surface to generate electricity. The process is renewable and, unlike wind or solar power, can operate on a constant basis.

Aside from electricity generation, geothermal can also be used for heat generation. CEO of Geothermal UK, Anne Murrell, said that: "We anticipate that 40% of our [UKs electricity] needs are for heat. So if we can reduce the demand on the grid by taking that out, that will have a significant impact".

Two other sites have currently been approved in Cornwall. Proposals have also been made for similar plants in the North East and Scotland.

UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced earlier this month that the British government would pledge up to £1 billion for community green energy schemes. Industry insiders suggest that for many communities, this could take the form of shallow geothermal power sources.

Miliband claims that transitioning to green energy will ensure: "energy security, lower bills and the biggest economic opportunity of the 21st century [for the UK]".