First commercial geothermal power plant to be built by British energy supplier - 15/10/2009
Cheap energy rates could be more attainable within the next few years with the development of a commercial geothermal power plant near Redruth in Cornwall.
The plant is to be developed by Geothermal Engineering and will involve 5km-deep wells being dug in order to harness the Earth's natural heat using a water flow and turning turbines on the surface to generate electricity.
When fully operational, enough power could be generated to satisfy the demands of 20,000 homes from an area of less than half an acre in size.
Ryan Law, managing director of Geothermal Engineering, said: "Modern technology allows us to target deeper, hotter geothermal resources to provide a sustainable source of electricity and heat. Our vision is to provide renewable heat and power at minimal environmental cost."
He added that geothermal is certainly not a new technology, as the Romans used it to heat their villas 2,000 years ago.
The government plans to secure Britain's energy future through a mix of nuclear and renewable generation.
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