Geothermal plant seeks permission to drill four more deep wells

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 12:58 · Archive

Eden Geothermal wants to increase its number of 5km underground wells from two to six and boost capacity to 15MW.

Eden Geothermal, the UK's first geothermal heating plant to launch in almost four decades, is seeking permission to increase the number of underground wells it can drill at the Eden Project in Cornwall from two to six.

The company says the expansion offers "a significant benefit in terms of increasing the renewable energy generated on site". The proposals would increase generation capacity to 15MW. Key changes include enlarging an air-cooled condenser bank, reconfiguring site buildings and installing two substations rather than the one previously agreed with Cornwall Council. The plant's water storage lagoon would be reduced in size.

The current geothermal well reaches about 5km below the Earth's surface, tapping into water temperatures of up to 200C to provide heating to Eden's greenhouses and rainforest biome. A second similarly-sized well was approved in December 2010 but has yet to be drilled. Project bosses say drilling four more wells would increase capacity "without the need to extend beyond the approved boundary or substantially alter what has already been approved".

Members of the public near the Eden Project are invited to discuss the proposed changes with the Eden Geothermal team at Trethurgy Village Hall on 28 October between 3pm and 7pm, and on 6 November between 3pm and 6pm. The planning application has a determination date of 18 November.

How it is being reported

• Geothermal plant plans to drill four more wellsThe Eden Project's partner organisation also proposes an increase in power generation capacity.BBC Cornwall · 28 Oct, 12:25
• Geothermal plant wants to drill four more 5km wells in CornwallIt is the first geothermal heating plant to launch in Cornwall for almost four decades.Falmouth Packet · 27 Oct, 14:06
• Cornwall planning: Geothermal plant wants to drill four more 5km wells into groundIt previously got permission for twoCornwallLive · 27 Oct, 13:50

In this story: Eden Geothermal · Eden Project · Cornwall · Cornwall Council · Trethurgy Village Hall · Augusta Grand

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