Green energy retailer Ecotricity has agreed a deal which will enable the production and sale of geothermal electricity in what it claims is a UK first.
The company’s partnership with Geothermal Engineering will see a minimum 3MW of base-load electricity produced by generating steam more than three miles beneath the United Downs site in Cornwall, producing enough electricity to power 10,000 homes every year.
Ecotricity has signed a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for power produced at the plant which is expected to be fully operational by early 2022.
Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, said: “Geothermal is a really exciting form of energy that is currently untapped in the UK.
“We’re pleased to be part of this project and to add the power to our customer’s energy mix. It has a big role to play in our plans to decarbonise the country.”
Ryan Law, founder and managing director of Geothermal Engineering, said: “We have spent many years working towards this point and are thrilled to see this pioneering geothermal power plant coming together.
“Our work shows the significant potential of geothermal energy to supply both heat and energy across Cornwall. We are very excited for the industry, investment and jobs this renewable resource could bring to the region.”