Geothermal Plans Power On

Planning permission has been granted for the development of the UK's first commercial deep geothermal power plant, near Redruth.

Work will begin in early 2011 to drill 4.5 kilometres into the ground to access rocks at temperatures of approximately 200 degrees.  The plant is expected to be fully operation by 2013 and will provide renewable heat for the local area plus renewable electricity which will feed into the national grid.  The company behind the development, British company Geothermal Engineering believe the plant will provide enough heat energy to heat 20 schools for a year and electricity to power 20,000 homes.

In an interview with Business Cornwall magazine, Professor Frances Wall, head of Camborne School of Mines said: "Cornwall has a strong mining heritage due to it's wealth of natural resources, and it's great to see this heritage is being continued through geothermal development. The Camborne School of Mines has been involved in deep geothermal research for decades so to see a commercial project coming to fruition is immensely satisfying."