The United Downs deep geothermal project in Cornwall, described as the UK’s first geothermal power plant, has started generating electricity, it was announced today.
Geothermal Engineering Limited (GEL), the owner and operator of the project, has signed a long-term deal with Octopus Energy to buy up to 3 MW of power from the plant, enough to supply up to 10,000 homes.
GEL also said in a social media post it has started demonstration-scale production of low-carbon lithium carbonate, marking another UK first. The company has the ambition to become one of Europe’s largest lithium producers, producing up to 10,000 tonnes per year by 2030, which would be enough for around 250,000 electric vehicle (EV) batteries a year.
The United Downs well is over 5 km deep. It delivers geothermal fluid for power generation, after which the fluid is processed to produce technical grade lithium carbonate before being reinjected back underground, explains Thrive Renewables plc, which provided commercial funding for the project.
“Geothermal energy and critical minerals extraction are naturally complementary as they share the same subsurface resource. The hot, mineral-rich fluids that generate clean electricity can also be processed to recover strategic materials like lithium as well as rare earth minerals,” said GEL CEO Ryan Law.
“With zero carbon lithium now being produced here in the UK, British businesses are leading the way in securing the materials needed to power the next generation of electric cars,” said Alan Whitehead, Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
“Deep geothermal provides firm, home-grown renewable power that strengthens energy security, decarbonises heat and electricity and supports regional growth. With the right long-term policy framework, this technology can scale rapidly across the country,” commented Charlotte Adams, CEO of the UK National Geothermal Centre.
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