The UK’s first system drawing heat from deep underground to provide low-cost heating for nearly 4,000 homes is one of seven innovative projects backed by government funding.
The Langarth Deep Geothermal Heat Network will involve drilling to a depth of 5,275 meters to extract the heat from granite rocks beneath the United Downs Industrial Site in Cornwall.
It is one of seven state-of-the-art heating systems that will receive a share of £91 million (€104 million) from the government’s Green Heat Network Fund.
Heat networks take heat found underground or use excess heat generated through manufacturing or waste management and supply heating and hot water to homes and businesses through a connected network.
Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said: “The UK is a world leader when it comes to reducing carbon emissions – but we must continue to push the boundaries to reach our net-zero goal.
“These innovative projects will not only benefit the communities they serve, by reducing emissions and providing low-cost heating that helps to drive down energy bills, but also support the nation’s push for greater energy security and independence.
“They form part of our energy revolution – creating hundreds of new jobs for our ever-expanding green economy.”
The Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) is a £288 million (€331 million) scheme that opened in March 2022 to public, private and third sector applicants in England and is anticipated to run to 2025. It replaced the Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) scheme which closed for applications in January 2022.
Gas drawn from geothermal heat network
