The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA) and Arup have published their Deep Geothermal Energy: Economic Decarbonisation Opportunities for the United Kingdom report, which underlines the environmental and economic potential of deep geothermal.
The report estimates that, should the Government establish a Geothermal Development Incentive, 12 deep geothermal projects could be operational by 2025, creating 1,300 jobs and generating more than £100 million of investment, predominately in towns and cities in the North of England, Midlands and South-West. The scheme would provide a catalyst to the industry, with 360 sites being established by 2050. This would provide an additional £1.5 billion of investment, 10,000 direct jobs and 25,000 indirect jobs, and an annual carbon saving of 3 megatons.
Deep geothermal energy is a space-efficient, utility scale renewable heat resource that can be deployed in urban areas, specifically with the potential to heat thousands of large commercial and other properties for generations. Heat accounts for around 40% of the UK’s energy consumption and nearly a third of UK greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that there is currently enough deep geothermal heat energy to supply all of the UK’s needs for at least 100 years.
Dr Nina Skorupska CBE, Chief Executive of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA), said:
“As this report demonstrates, deep geothermal must be central to the Government’s energy policy for the next 30 years, but with real and tangible benefits in the immediate future.
“Deep geothermal has the potential to become a world leading industry here in the UK, provide a stable transition away from oil and gas, and help meet the Government’s net zero ambitions by decarbonising heat on a mass scale. It would also create 1,000s of new jobs and generate tens of millions of pounds in new investment.
“The REA believes that urgent work is required to aid the roll out of all heat technologies, however, with the right support from the Government, deep geothermal will play a major role in Britain’s heat generation for decades to come.”
Michael Chendorain, Associate Director at ARUP, said that UK can match or even surpass this success should the Government provide the right support package. He said:
“The UK’s deep geothermal resources are proven and can play a key role in decarbonising heat which makes up around 40% of the UK’s energy consumption and nearly a third of UK greenhouse gas emissions. Homes, universities, hospitals, and a broad range of industries can all benefit from a deep geothermal revolution but this will require Government support.”
The REA will be hosting a launch event with Dr Kieran Mullan MP at 10am on 19th May 2021 – a link to sign up for the free virtual event is here: https://www.r-e-a.net/events/deep-geothermal-report-launch-2/
You can read the full report here: Deep Geothermal Energy – Opportunities for the UK
