Eden Geothermal Energy Project
Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, England · 2020–Present (Preliminary work 2020, drilling 2021, operational June 2023) [1] [2] · £22 million (funded by European Union, Cornwall Council, and an institutional investor) [3]
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe Eden Geothermal Project is the UK's first new operational deep geothermal power plant since 1986. It demonstrates the potential for geothermal energy to provide sustainable heat and potentially electricity, contributing to the decarbonization of the UK. [2] [4]
Key engineering challenges
Drilling deep wells (up to 5 km) through hard granite rock. [5] - Managing the high costs associated with geothermal drilling and development. [5] - Extracting and utilizing geothermal heat efficiently for direct use and potential power generation. [4]
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Eden Geothermal Limited (EGL)
- Lead contractor
- —
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- Supplies heat for the Eden Project Biomes and greenhouses; potential for electricity generation. [4]
- Disciplines
- geological; civil; mechanical; drilling; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- UK drilling and energy regulations.
Sources: ThinkGeoEnergy: Interview – Overcoming early struggles and achieving milestones with Eden Geothermal (https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/interview-overcoming-early-struggles-and-achieving-milestones-with-eden-geothermal/) [1] - Eden Project: Our origins (https://www.edenproject.com/mission/origins) [2] - Eden Project: Eden Geothermal Energy Project (https://www.edenproject.com/mission/projects/eden-geothermal-energy-project) [3] - Eden Geothermal: Eden Geothermal – Unlocking the energy from the rocks beneath (https://www.edengeothermal.com/) [4] - Financial Times: UK’s first deep geothermal energy project for 37 years switched on (https://www.ft.com/content/774c05ac-373d-45dc-bcaa-8377ddacb58f?syn-25a6b1a6=1) [5]