UK’s most suitable geothermal areas strongly overlap with areas in need of investment, study finds

A study conducted by Durham University and commissioned by Kieran Mullan, Member of Parliament (MP), identified the 45 most suitable sites for deep geothermal development.

Furthermore, the same study concluded that many of the 45 sites overlap with areas that had previously been found in need of investment. More specifically, six of them were found in the previous study to be included in the top ten for low economic resilience local authorities, providing a strong reason for the development of renewable energy projects in the specified areas.

MP Mullan also stated how “Unlike wind or solar this technology provides baseload – it is there constantly. And our expertise in drilling in the North Sea means we are well placed to motor ahead” as well as bringing up the comparison to France and Germany. More specifically, about 250,000 homes are already headed by geothermal energy, while Germany has planned for a €1 billion investment in 100 geothermal plants by 2035.

Finally, some steps have already been taken, with the UK taking its first steps into deep geothermal energy. The Eden deep geothermal project was switched on just yesterday, on June 19, while another one in Seaham County Durham is underway.